The Julong Copper Mine is home to a world-class, ultra-large porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit, with low ore grades and strong potential for further resource expansion. The deposit also contains associated silver and molybdenum, along with substantial amounts of hard-to-recover copper resources.
The Julong Copper Mine is home to a world-class, ultra-large, low-grade porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit. It also contains associated silver and molybdenum resources, and substantial hard-to-recover copper resources. The mine has strong potential for further resource expansion.
The Phase 1 project, with a throughput of 150,000 tonnes per day, has been built and commissioned, making Julong one of the largest copper mines in China. Phase 2 was completed and commissioned in January 2026. Upon reaching design capacity, the mine is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes of mined copper annually. If the proposed Phase 3 (600,000 tonnes of mined copper per annum) is approved, Julong would become the world’s largest copper mine by processing throughput and rank fourth globally in terms of annual copper output.
Zijin Mining acquired a 50.1% interest in Julong Copper in 2020. In January 2025, Zijin Mining acquired a 24.82% interest in Zangge Mining, bringing its total interest in the Julong Copper Mine to 58.16%.
Julong is committed to building a green, safe, and intelligent mining operation, one that complies with laws and regulations, maintains a cohesive workforce, and brings prosperity for all. It works to forge a shared future with local stakeholders. It is building a digitally empowered mine and is expanding the use of clean energy, striving to become the lowest carbon emitter and energy consumer among China’s ultra-large mines.
The mine ensures no breach of bottom lines in ecological protection and systematically advances ecological restoration and land reclamation. It carries out regular environmental quality monitoring, soil and water conservation, and pollution source control efforts. It also conducts biodiversity baseline surveys and implements targeted protection measures to promote coordinated progress between mining and ecological conservation.
While promoting local employment, the operation has established a high-altitude safety and emergency response system to protect employee health. Julong also works with local governments and communities to share the benefits of development through dividend payouts, well-conceived labor cooperation, support for local industries, infrastructure development, and job creation. These initiatives help transform resources into tangible development, ensuring that the benefits of mining are shared more widely and equitably with its host region. The end result: stronger profits, greater tax payments, higher local incomes, and a better environment.