KCM Launches Strategic Nchanga Smelter Upgrade to Accelerate Copper Production Growth
KCM Begins 60-Day Nchanga Smelter Shutdown as Part of Ambitious Expansion and Modernization Plan
Vedanta Resources-owned Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has commenced a planned 60-day shutdown of its Nchanga Smelter in Zambia to undertake critical maintenance, and refurbishment works aimed at improving operational performance and supporting future production growth.
The company announced that the shutdown, which began this month, forms part of a broader modernization strategy designed to enhance efficiency, reliability, and long-term sustainability across its operations.
KCM produced 80,215 tonnes of copper in 2025, according to data from Zambia’s Ministry of Mines.
However, the company has set its sights much higher, targeting annual copper production of 300,000 tonnes by 2030 as it ramps up investment in its mining and processing infrastructure.
The smelter upgrade aligns with Zambia’s national objective of increasing copper production to 3 million tonnes annually by 2031, up from 890,346 tonnes recorded in 2025.
Achieving this target is central to the country’s strategy of strengthening its position as one of the world’s leading copper producers amid growing global demand for energy transition minerals.
The temporary closure of the Nchanga Smelter comes at a time when Zambia’s copper-processing sector is experiencing a series of scheduled maintenance programmes.
The Mopani and Chambishi smelters are also expected to undergo extended shutdowns between June and mid-September, resulting in three of the country’s major processing facilities being offline for maintenance during the same period.
Industry observers note that these simultaneous shutdowns could temporarily constrain copper and sulphuric acid production.
Sulphuric acid remains a critical input in the extraction and processing of copper and cobalt, and global supplies have already faced pressure due to geopolitical disruptions affecting major producing regions.
Despite the smelter shutdown, KCM has assured stakeholders that operations at its Nchanga Tailings Leach Plant will continue uninterrupted.
The company plans to source sulphuric acid from external suppliers while supplementing requirements through its own acid plant at Nchanga, which has a production capacity of 500 tonnes per day.
The ongoing modernization programme underscores KCM’s commitment to rebuilding production capacity and supporting Zambia’s long-term mining growth ambitions.
Once completed, the upgrades are expected to strengthen the company’s operational resilience, improve processing efficiency, and position it for sustained growth in the years ahead.
