Preliminary figures from First Quantum Minerals (FQM)’s Kansanshi mine in Solwezi indicate that the company’s copper output surged by nearly six percent to 181,000 tonnes in 2025, marking the mine’s highest production level since 2021.
The mining firm has also unveiled a multi-million-dollar capital investment programme for its Zambian operations over the next three years, a move expected to benefit local suppliers, contractors and host communities.
FQM reported that Kansanshi’s 2025 output increased by 10,000 tonnes from the 171,000 tonnes recorded in 2024, driven largely by 25,000 tonnes of production from the new S3 circuit, which was officially commissioned by President Hakainde Hichilema in August 2025.
The S3 plant achieved milling rates and operating times above 80 percent of design capacity, supported by an average recovery rate of over 80 percent. Following sustained operational stability, the circuit was declared commercially operational on December 1, 2025.
Gold production at Kansanshi also rose by more than 10 percent to 116,000 ounces in 2025, supported by higher grades from more selective mining in the first quarter, as well as increased ore throughput and recoveries in the second quarter. This represents the mine’s highest annual gold output since 2021.
Meanwhile, FQM’s Sentinel copper mine in Kalumbila produced 189,000 tonnes in 2025, a decrease of 42,000 tonnes compared to 2024. The decline was attributed to lower grades and increased maintenance requirements, partially offset by higher throughput.
Nickel production at the Enterprise mine in Kalumbila reached 23,000 tonnes, a 21 percent increase from 2024, reflecting its first full year of operations and a strong ramp-up performance.
FQM Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall said the company’s Zambian operations continued to deliver solid results during the year under review.
“The project was completed under budget and continues to ramp up in line with expectations, benefiting from the in-house project development expertise that we have built over the past two decades at First Quantum. With S3 complete, First Quantum is positioned to deliver sustainable organic growth over the full three-year guidance period,” he said.
The company outlined capital expenditure budgets for Kansanshi of approximately US$275 million over the next three years.
This includes US$90 million for additional South East Dome pre-stripping activities, US$45 million for the installation of a second primary in-pit crusher, US$30 million for the relocation of in-pit crushers, US$25 million for an additional tailings pipeline at Trident, and US$20 million for STATCOM installations at both Kansanshi and Sentinel to improve national grid stability.
Pascall added that further sustainability-related investments have been earmarked to replace the Kansanshi ex-pit mining fleet with more efficient, trolley-compatible trucks and to expand the Quantum Electra-Haul trolley-assist infrastructure across the Zambian operations.
“The company provided copper production guidance of 175-205,000 tonnes and 190-220,000 tonnes for Kansanshi and Sentinel, respectively, and 30-40,000 tonnes of nickel for Enterprise. Gold production guidance for Kansanshi for 2026 is 110-120,000 ounces,” he said.
