Konkola Copper Mines, is planning to invest at least $172 million to build a new leach plant at its Nchanga mine

Zambia's largest copper miner by output, Konkola Copper Mines, is planning to invest at least $172 million to build a new leach plant at its Nchanga mine as it continues to expand operations to boost output.

The plant is expected to produce at least 50,000 metric tonnes of finished copper a year over its 13-year lifespan once it comes on stream by 2013, the company said in a report submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia.

The plant will treat at least 156 million tonnes of refractory ore materials stockpiled at the mine. At least 700 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs are expected to be created.

KCM, a unit of London-listed Vedanta Resources PLC, is also implementing a deep-mine project at its Chilibombwe Copper Mine, which will enable it access at least 200 million tons of ores, grading at 3.5% copper.

This project will enable KCM to more than triple its annual copper ore output to 7.5 million tons.

The deep mine project and the Nchanga refractory project, together with other expansions at treatment and smelting plants, will enable KCM to double its annual copper output to at least 400,000 tons by 2014, according to company officials.

Vedanta Resources announced that KCM's integrated copper cathode production in the quarter ending December 31 2010, was 34,000 tonnes.

This represents a 21% rise on year due to improvements at the Nchanga operations and higher production at the open pits and at the tailings leach operations.

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