Operations Halted at Kansanshi Copper Mine After Fatal Incident

First Quantum Suspends Kansanshi Operations Following Fatal Accident
First Quantum Minerals has announced a Kansanshi copper mine suspension following a fatal incident in Zambia, temporarily halting operations. Details regarding the resumption of operations or the impact on copper production remain unclear.

The Kansanshi mine is a key copper producer, reporting an output of 41,500 metric tons in Q2 2023, a nearly 20% increase year-on-year. In 2022, it contributed 134,827 metric tons of copper and 68,970 ounces of gold to First Quantum’s overall mining operations.

Concerns for Global Copper Supply
With major operations at Cobre Panama and the Sentinel mine in Zambia, the company had projected copper production of 370,000 to 420,000 metric tons for 2024. However, the Kansanshi copper mine suspension raises concerns about the company’s ability to meet these targets. The mining industry is closely monitoring the situation’s impact on both local and global copper supply chains.