Zambia’s CNMC Shaft 28 Nears Completion of Dewatering, Set to Resume Copper Production by 2026
Revival of Luanshya’s Shaft 28 Marks a New Era for Zambia’s Copperbelt
Tremendous progress is underway at CNMC Shaft 28 in Luanshya, marking a historic revival for a mine that lay dormant for more than two decades. The project has become a symbol of Zambia’s mining resurgence under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.
The site is on track to complete dewatering by December 2025, with copper production scheduled to resume in August 2026—a major milestone for both the Copperbelt and the national economy.
Government Applauds Rapid Progress
During a recent inspection tour, Copperbelt Province Minister, Honourable Elisha Matambo, commended the CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines PLC management team for executing works efficiently and ahead of schedule.
“So far, 83% of the water has been dewatered, with only 17% remaining,” Hon. Matambo announced. “Once operational, Shaft 28 will employ more than 3,000 people and produce 55,000 tonnes of copper annually, increasing to 100,000 tonnes by 2030—directly supporting Zambia’s national production target of 3 million tonnes of copper.”
From Abandonment to Transformation
Once shuttered and submerged for 23 years, Shaft 28 has undergone a massive transformation—from flooded tunnels to a modern, fully reconstructed underground mine.
During his 180-metre-deep site visit, Hon. Matambo described the progress as “truly inspiring”, praising it as a testament to Zambia’s renewed mining drive and commitment to restoring the Copperbelt’s former glory.
Empowering Zambians Through Local Participation
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s “Local, Local, Local” policy, emphasizing that employment and business opportunities in the sector must primarily benefit Zambians.
“The ‘Local, Local, Local’ policy introduced by President Hichilema must be upheld. Both local and foreign contractors should operate on equal footing,” Matambo said.
This policy aligns with the government’s broader goal of ensuring inclusive growth, local content promotion, and sustainable community development in mining towns.
Infrastructure Development to Support the Mine
To complement mining operations, the government is upgrading 32 kilometres of road infrastructure in Luanshya District, enhancing accessibility for both businesses and residents. These infrastructure investments are expected to boost logistics, trade, and social mobility across the Copperbelt region.
A Billion-Dollar Investment in Zambia’s Future
So far, CNMC has invested USD 100 million in the dewatering phase of Shaft 28, with a total capital outlay of USD 710 million projected once full operations commence.
Hon. Matambo also addressed critics who doubted the project’s viability:
“This is not rhetoric—it’s happening. We salute our Republican President for making this vision a reality,” he affirmed.
Restoring Zambia’s Copperbelt Legacy
The reopening of Shaft 28 is being hailed as a cornerstone of Zambia’s Copperbelt revival, reinforcing the nation’s ambitions to reclaim its position as a top global copper producer.
As Zambia advances toward its 3-million-tonne annual copper output goal, projects like CNMC Shaft 28 underscore the government’s commitment to sustainable growth, foreign investment, and local empowerment—driving a new era of prosperity for the mining sector and the nation as a whole.
