China’s JCHX Expands Lonshi Copper Mine in DRC with $751.3M Investment

JCHX Mining

Strategic Expansion Aims to Boost Copper Concentrate Output

Chinese mining company JCHX Mining Management plans to expand copper concentrate production at its Lonshi Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This development includes the exploration of the east mining area, with a new copper ore processing capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per year (t/yr) and an estimated $751.3 million investment. The construction timeline spans 4.5 years, though the official start date remains undisclosed. Once fully operational, the east mining area is expected to reach full capacity within four years of commissioning.

Increasing Copper Production Capacity

JCHX launched the west mining area of the Lonshi mine in Q4 2023, achieving an annual copper concentrate production capacity of 40,000 t/yr. With the east mining expansion, the entire Lonshi mine is projected to produce 100,000 t/yr of copper concentrate. In the first half of 2024, JCHX reported a fourfold increase in copper concentrate production compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 13,213 tonnes.

JCHX’s Growing Presence in Africa and Beyond

In addition to Lonshi, JCHX operates the Dikulushi copper mine in the DRC and the Lubambe copper mine in Zambia. The company is also awaiting mining approval for its San Matias mine in Colombia. This expansion aligns with China’s broader strategy of securing copper supply for its growing smelting capacities.

China’s Expanding Global Copper Footprint

China produced 12.451 million tonnes of refined copper between January and November 2024, marking a 4.6% year-over-year increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Chinese mining firms, including Zijin Mining, have accelerated overseas copper acquisitions, with Zijin currently pursuing the La Arena copper-gold mine in Peru to bolster its global copper and gold output.

Market analysts anticipate a tight copper concentrate supply in 2025, as smelting capacity expansion is projected to outpace new mining projects. This dynamic reinforces China’s aggressive push into international copper mining investments.