On October 21 (Wednesday), First Quantum Minerals said its expanded Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia is expected to process approximately 27 million tonnes of ore in 2026, exceeding its designed capacity by 8% and supporting a stronger production outlook.
The $1.2 billion S3 expansion project at Kansanshi Mining commenced operations in August 2025 and is expected to double the mine’s copper production to approximately 277,000 tonnes per year.
A new sulfide processing line with an annual capacity of 25 million tonnes is at the heart of the expansion, more than doubling Kansanshi’s processing capacity.
The company said strong plant availability, utilization and grinding performance have enabled the operation to exceed its throughput targets.
The company added that the increased processing capacity allows Kansanshi to process substantial volumes of lower-grade sulfide ore.
Following the shutdown of Cobre Panama in 2023, Zambia has become First Quantum’s primary copper-producing jurisdiction, accounting for approximately 93% of the group’s total production in 2025.
The Kansanshi expansion is a key component of Zambia’s target to increase annual copper production to 3 million tonnes by 2031, up from 890,346 tonnes in 2025. Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
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