Zijin Mining Boosts Copper Production in 2024 with Strong Serbian and African Output

Zijin Mining

Zijin expands copper output with Serbian and DRC project gains

Zijin Mining increased its copper production in 2024, driven by higher output from its Serbian mines and African operations. The company produced 1.068mn tonnes of mined copper last year, up 6.1% from 2023. Notably, combined production from Serbia's Cukaru Peki and Bor mines rose to 292,900t, up from 238,900t a year earlier. Zijin aims to boost these Serbian mines to 450,000t/year, although it has not revealed a timeline.

Meanwhile, its flagship Kamoa-Kakula project in the Democratic Republic of Congo began phase three production in August. This will raise copper capacity to 600,000t/year by 2025, up from 437,000t in 2024.

New mines and future capacity targets underline long-term growth

In China, Zijin plans to launch phase two of the Julong copper mine in late 2025, expanding output to 300,000–350,000t/year. Phase three will raise Julong’s capacity to 600,000t/year, though construction dates remain undisclosed. Additionally, the 76,000t/year Zhunuo copper mine in Tibet will start operating by late 2026.

Refined copper production rose 3.2% to 474,570t in 2024, while zinc and lead volumes saw mixed performance. Zijin produced 451,474t of mined zinc and lead, down 3.3%, but refined zinc output rose 11% to 371,057t.

The company also expanded molybdenum and tungsten production, though cobalt output dropped 63% year-on-year. Looking ahead to 2025, Zijin targets 1.15mn t of copper, 440,000t of zinc and lead, and 40,000t of lithium carbonate equivalent.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Zijin’s 2024 performance confirms its status as a global copper powerhouse. Strategic mine expansions in Serbia, Congo, and China signal long-term ambitions to dominate global refined and mined copper supply. Its diversification into lithium and molybdenum positions the firm to ride the clean energy and battery metals boom well into 2030.