With an annual production capacity of more than 120,000 tonnes of copper and 2,000 tonnes of cobalt, the Kolwezi Copper Mine ranks among Zijin Mining’s largest metal-producing assets and is one of the DRC’s largest copper operations. Senior Congolese government officials and representatives from the national mining company have on several occasions praised the mine as an exemplary Sino-Congolese joint venture.
Mine construction commenced in 2015, with the Phase I mining and processing project beginning production in June 2017, followed by the commissioning of the Phase II copper-cobalt recovery project in April 2019. Subsequent expansions saw the sulfuric acid plant and the low-grade ore processing project begin operations in June and December 2021, respectively. In December 2022, the Phase II tailings storage facility was commissioned. This rapid project development stands as a new milestone for Chinese companies in the African mining industry.
Zijin Mining acquired a 72% interest in the mine through two transactions in 2014 and 2016. In early 2024, Zijin transferred a 5% interest in the project to the DRC government, retaining a 67% stake post-transfer.
The project is one of the founding members of the China Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility in Africa. It pioneered eco-friendly mining practices in the DRC and has adopted advanced Chinese approaches to ecological preservation, receiving widespread recognition from the DRC government and local communities.
The project implements a local hiring policy and actively supports local development, particularly in infrastructure, public causes, and sports and cultural activities. It has signed the 2021-2025 Cahier de Charge (Social Term Sheet) with eight surrounding communities, funding the construction of over twenty projects, including training schools, medical facilities, specialized farms, farmers’ markets, multifunctional sports stadiums, and municipal water supply facilities.