Konkola Copper Mines Plc is an integrated copper producer whose mining and metallurgical operations run across Zambia's Copperbelt Province. Its network spans underground and open-pit mines and processing facilities at Nchanga, Konkola, Nkana and Nampundwe, covering the sequence from ore extraction through concentration and smelting to refined copper cathode. The company is one of Africa's largest integrated copper producers, working a high-grade copper seam and combining mineral resources with automated operations and technical expertise.
What the company does
KCM mines, processes and markets copper and associated by-products from its own ore bodies. Mining is carried out both underground and in open pits. Ore is treated at concentrators, smelted at Nchanga and refined into copper cathode, while tailings leach facilities recover additional copper from previously processed material. The company also produces cobalt as a copper-cobalt alloy through its integrated smelting operations, and pyrite concentrate from the Nampundwe mine, which feeds the Nchanga smelter and is supplied in surplus to external industrial customers.
KCM's operating figures include 9.8 Mt Cu and 3.2 Mt Cu of reserves and resources across its complexes, 6 Mtpa of concentrator processing capacity and 300 Mtpa of refining capacity.
Operating complexes
Konkola Complex
Located in Chililabombwe, Konkola is the centrepiece of KCM's underground production. Active mining extends to roughly 1,000 metres below surface, with mineralization continuing beyond 2,000 metres. The Konkola Deep Mining Project is engineered to unlock these deeper zones and to extend the mine's operational life beyond 45 years, reinforcing the company's long-term production outlook.
Nchanga Complex
Nchanga integrates underground and open-pit mining with concentrators, a flash smelter, tailings leach facilities and associated plant. Every stage of KCM's copper mining and processing approach sits within this single operation, which is set on a high-grade copper seam.
Nampundwe Mine
Nampundwe is an underground pyrite mine located approximately 50 kilometres west of Lusaka. It supplies pyrite concentrate to the Nchanga smelter, supporting process efficiency and continuity across the production chain, with surplus pyrite sold to external industrial customers.
Products
- Copper — produced through integrated mining, smelting and refining to create LME A Grade cathodes for industries worldwide. Average ore grade is 2.9%, with production of 129 Ktpa in FY 2026.
- Cobalt — recovered through KCM's integrated smelting operations and produced as a copper-cobalt alloy for global processing and advanced industrial applications.
- Pyrite — produced at the Nampundwe Mine, where pyrite concentrate supports KCM's smelting operations and is also supplied to external customers.
Ownership and investment
KCM is 79.4% held by CopperTech Metals, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, and 20.6% by Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings PLC. The company is fully operated by CopperTech Metals Investment. Vedanta Resources has invested US$3 billion in the business since 2004.
Safety, environment and community
KCM operates an ISO 45001:2018 accredited safety management system and an ISO 14001:2015 certified environmental management system. Its ESG framework sets out the environmental, safety and governance standards applied across the business, and the company invests approximately US$20 million in communities each year. Community programmes focus on health, education, sustainable livelihoods and sports development. A company-wide Code of Ethics governs ethical, transparent and accountable business practice, supported by compliance standards and internal policies. Women make up 11% of the workforce.
Contact
Head office: Konkola Copper Mines Plc, Stand M/1408, Fern Avenue, Chingola, Zambia. Postal address: Private Bag KCM (c) 2000, Chingola, Zambia. Telephone: +260-212-350604. Email: [email protected]. KCM also maintains a corporate centre in Lusaka. Further information is available at kcm.co.zm.