The ceremony for construction commencement at the deeper zone of JCHX Lubambe Copper Mine was held on May 30, attended by H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, honorable Ministers from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and Ministry of Information and Media of Zambia, Governor of Copperbelt Province, together with H.E. Han Jing, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Mr. Jin Jun, Economic and Commercial Counsellor from the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Wang Qinghai, Chairman of JCHX Mining, Mr. Huang Haigen, President of JCHX Mining, Mr. Wang Youcheng, Vice Chairman of JCHX Mining and Chairman of Lubambe Copper Mine Limited (“LCML”), and Mr. Wu Shuanjun, GM of LCML, which was also witnessed by over 2000 attendees including the management team and representatives of Zambian and Chinese employees of LCML, local industry associations, Chinese and Zambian business representatives, national media, and community members.
Chairman Wang Qinghai emphasized that JCHX’s investment in LCML is of pivotal strategic significance, reflecting JCHX’s confidence in the Zambian market and the value of its abundant mineral resources. He expressed his gratitude for the Zambian government’s unwavering determination in fostering a stable, predictable, and attractive investment climate and introduced JCHX’s 23-year growth journey in Zambia and future development plans.
Mr. Wu delivered heartfelt thanks to the Zambian government for its support during the transition period and outlined the strategic investments made by JCHX to remove the operational challenges, including the sinking of two new shafts. He pointed out that the construction commencement at deeper zone marks a fresh start for LCML, with JCHX committed to promoting the practice of sustainable mining and excellent operation through innovation and industry cooperation.
President Hichilema then delivered his recognition of the contributions made by Chinese enterprises to Zambian mining industry, praised JCHX’s performance in responsibilities shouldering during the acquisition of LCML, and acknowledged the efforts made by JCHX to support the fulfillment of the production target of 3 mtpa by 2031 by developing the deeper zone through significant capital, technology, and equipment investments. He noted that the smooth commencement epitomizes the Zambia-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, which will provide more job opportunities, boost technological advancement, and promote localized mining. He welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Zambia to continue to promote greater development of cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
Ambassador Han congratulated JCHX on the commencement and briefed on the expected direct investments, job opportunities, and tax revenues. He described Zambia-China relations as a model of Sino-African cooperation, strengthened by corporate participation. This is another powerful example of the fruitful outcomes of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Zambia, carrying economic and social significance. Amid global uncertainties and growing protectionism and unilateralism, China still actively encourages Chinese enterprises to increase investments in Zambia, adopt advanced technologies, maintain compliance, and uphold CSR commitments, to support the sustainable development of Zambia.
Located in the Konkola Basin of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, Lubambe Copper Mine has a designed capacity of 2.5 mtpa. In January 2024, JCHX Mining signed a share transfer agreement with EMR Capital Resources to acquire the controlling stake in LCML, which was closed in July 2024. Following the acquisition, JCHX implemented technical upgrades to increase production capacity and economic efficiency. In the future, JCHX will pool its premium resources to advance the project with high standards to ensure early production launch, and establish the project as another landmark of China-Zambia cooperation to deliver greater contributions to local economic and social development.
