Falling copper prices and climbing processing costs have forced London-listed
The company says the high-grade deposit will be returned to production when prices for the red metal improve. (The shutdown does not affect Chibuluma West, 12 km to the north.)
Discovered in 1969, Chibuluma South was being developed in two stages, with open-pit mining to be followed by an underground operation. Open-pit mining was to target oxide ore, then sulphide ore will be accessed via underground mining.
At the time of the suspension, Metorex says it was planning to tap into Chibuluma South’s high-grade sulphide zone earlier than anticipated.
At last report, Chibuluma South had proven reserves of 7.3 million tonnes grading 3.7% copper.
Metorex owns 85% of Chibuluma Mines; the remaining 15% is owned by the Zambian state.
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