Lusaka — September 17, 2026 — Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), owned by Vedanta, has signed a $498 million agreement with China’s NERIN Engineering to construct a copper recovery plant in Zambia’s Copperbelt.
The facility, planned for KCM’s operations in Chingola, will use leaching technology to recover copper from existing mine tailings — turning accumulated mining waste into an additional source of production.
KCM said the plant is expected to add 70,000 metric tons of copper annually and become the largest facility of its kind in Africa.
Zambia Targets Major Copper Expansion
The investment comes as Zambia seeks to significantly increase copper production. The country aims to raise annual output to 3 million metric tons by 2031, compared with 890,346 metric tons in 2025.
Under the agreement, NERIN Engineering will provide engineering, procurement and construction services, as well as support for commissioning, performance testing and employee training.
Copper Demand Supports Investment
Copper is increasingly important to global infrastructure, with demand supported by its use in electricity grids, renewable-energy systems, data centres and electric vehicles.
Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of Congo, making the expansion of processing and recovery capacity strategically important to the country’s mining sector.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Chris Mfula
Writing: Sfundo Parakozov
Editing: Joe Bavier
