Barrick’s $2B Lumwana Expansion to Double Copper Output and Drive Sustainable Growth in Zambia
Barrick’s $2 Billion Lumwana Mine Expansion Set to Double Copper Output and Boost Zambia’s Economy
Construction of the $2-billion expansion at Barrick Gold Corporation’s Lumwana copper mine in Zambia is well underway, marking a pivotal step in its transformation into a world-class Tier 1 copper operation.
The project is being spearheaded by the NYSE- and TSX-listed mining giant and is set to significantly increase output and economic impact.
During a recent visit to Lusaka, Barrick president and CEO Mark Bristow highlighted how the expansion builds on a remarkable turnaround that has repositioned Lumwana as a cornerstone of both Barrick’s global copper portfolio and Zambia’s national development strategy.
“When we assessed Lumwana in 2019, it was a high-cost, underperforming operation. Today, it is rapidly evolving into a major force in African copper production.
With this expansion progressing swiftly, Lumwana is on track to become one of the world’s most strategically significant copper mines and a powerful engine of growth for both Zambia and Barrick,” Bristow stated.
The expansion project will double the mine’s annual copper output to 240,000 tonnes, supported by a new 50-million-tonne-per-year processing plant.
Construction activities are in full swing, major equipment orders have been placed, and critical infrastructure upgrades—such as a new power transmission system developed in collaboration with the state-owned Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation—are advancing steadily to support the mine and the surrounding region.
Since 2019, Lumwana has injected over $4 billion into the Zambian economy through taxes, royalties, wages, and procurement.
Impressively, $3.4 billion—or 79% of the mine’s total procurement—has been spent with local Zambian suppliers.
In Q1 2025 alone, $177 million (81%) of procurement contracts were awarded to local contractors. The mine also boasts a 98% Zambian workforce, with nearly half of its employees drawn from nearby communities.
As part of an integrated development plan aligned with Zambia’s Mining and Minerals Policy 2031, the Lumwana expansion is also driving broader regional development.
This includes the construction of the Manyama township and an industrial supplier park, which aim to stimulate local industry and job creation.
Additionally, a new regional airstrip is slated for completion by the end of 2025, and a training centre accredited by Zambia’s Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) will be launched to strengthen the country’s mining skills base.
On the environmental front, Lumwana is pushing forward with an ambitious carbon and sustainability agenda. In collaboration with local chiefdoms and the Forestry Department, the mine is developing a REDD+ forest conservation program covering up to 300,000 hectares.
This initiative is designed to generate future carbon credits while promoting biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and land stewardship.
“Lumwana is becoming a model for sustainable copper mining,” Bristow said. “It exemplifies how a top-tier mining operation can support economic development, environmental responsibility, and industrial growth all at once.”
Operationally, the mine is performing in line with its 2025 production targets. The first quarter saw strong results, driven by increased plant throughput and ongoing efficiency gains in open-pit mining.
Lumwana has maintained its ISO 14001 and 45001 certifications and has reported no Class 1 or Class 2 environmental incidents year-to-date.
“This is more than just a mine expansion—we’re building a long-term partnership with Zambia,” Bristow added. “We’re actively exploring additional growth opportunities throughout the Zambian Copperbelt, supported by our recent memorandum of understanding with the government.
Together, we’re laying the groundwork for sustainable economic and social progress that will endure far beyond the life of the mine.”
