Lhasa, Xizang – January 23, 2026 – Zijin has put Phase 2 of its Julong Copper Mine into production. The expansion will add 200,000 tonnes of daily processing capacity, driving Julong’s annual copper production to between 300,000 and 350,000 tonnes. This milestone will position Julong as a world-class, ultra-large copper operation—one situated at the highest altitude and processing the lowest ore grades.
Completed in just 18 months at an elevation above 5,000 meters, Phase 2 brings Julong’s total throughput to 350,000 tonnes per day from its previous 150, 000 tonnes. As China’s largest copper mine, Julong produced more than 190,000 tonnes of copper in 2025. With Phase 2 coming online, the mine’s processing capacity will surge from 45 million tonnes per annum to over 105 million tonnes. The mine’s copper production volume is expected to reach 300,000 tonnes in 2026, while annual molybdenum output will grow from 8,000 tonnes in 2025 to approximately 13,000 tonnes.
At the commissioning ceremony, Zijin’s Chairman Zou Laichang said: “The commissioning of Phase 2 represents a qualitative leap in Zijin’s capability to develop large copper mines under complex, high-altitude conditions. The project anchors Zijin’s broader plan to achieve an annual copper production of 800,000 tonnes in Xizang, laying the foundation for the company’s long-term growth in the region. I applaud the perseverance, dedication and unity demonstrated by all participants who built this project against all odds. Their spirit holds the key to Zijin’s steady, long-term growth.”
Chairman Zou noted: “Focusing on quality, production, cost control, and profitability, Julong will make every effort to reach design capacity and deliver expected returns. It will make further investments and expand capacity when appropriate, reinforce safety and environmental protection, and optimize production processes. It will also step up exploration efforts to add resources and strive to be a pioneer in the transition toward digital, intelligent, and automated operations. Julong’s success will contribute meaningfully to Zijin’s strategic goals and to Xizang’s high-quality social and economic development.”
Tremendous speed and social value
Situated above 5,000 meters in a frigid, oxygen-deprived plateau, the Julong Copper Mine poses enormous construction challenges. With a total investment of RMB 17.46 billion, the Phase 2 project broke ground in June 2024 and was completed in just 18 months—a feat once regarded as a “mission impossible”. With this project delivered, Zijin achieved a record speed in building large mining projects in plateaus.
Julong’s Phase 2 will also stimulate broader regional development by driving the growth of upstream and downstream businesses and catalyzing job creation in logistics, production services, and material supply. It helps build a local business ecosystem covering exploration, mining, and processing, while filling a gap in advanced mining operations in the region. The mine is expected to create more employment opportunities and help improve local livelihoods, while balancing mining with environmental and ecological protection.
With Phase 2 coming on stream, Julong will prioritize safety and profitability, advancing the development of a green and intelligent mining operation and injecting further momentum into Zijin’s global resource portfolio. The operation will also provide strong impetus for the high-quality development of Xizang and set an example in benefiting local communities through mining.
Higher volumes expected
Phase 2’s completion represents a significant boost to Zijin’s copper business. Julong, alongside Zijin’s copper operations in Serbia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, now form a core trio underpinning Zijin’s copper portfolio. As the company’s other key copper projects in the pipeline begin construction, production, or expansion, Zijin’s mined copper output will continue to rise, further consolidating its leading position in the global copper industry and advancing its goal of becoming a leading global mining group.
Zijin is also developing and refining plans for Julong’s Phase 3. If approved, mining will extend to lower elevations, allowing for the extraction of more than 20 million tonnes of copper reserves. The mine’s processing capacity could reach 200 million tonnes per annum, with an annual copper output of roughly 600,000 tonnes. Once achieved, Julong would become the world’s largest copper mine by throughput.
About Zijin Mining
Zijin Mining is a leading global metals and mining company and one of the world’s largest producers of gold, copper, and zinc. The company has more than 30 large-scale mining operations and projects across 19 countries on 5 continents. Leveraging strong in-house research, engineering, and development capabilities, Zijin maintains high operational efficiency and low costs in both acquisitions and operations. This enables the company to be an industry leader in value creation, underpinned by its philosophy of pursuing development for all and sustained by superior environmental, social, and governance performance. Zijin’s shares trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 2899) and the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE: 601899).