KCM Launches Major Underground Rail Upgrade to Boost Copper Output
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc has embarked on a transformative underground rail upgrade at its Konkola mine in Chililabombwe, aiming to significantly boost copper ore transport capacity and drive production growth.
The project spanning nearly 6 kilometers of underground rail was launched on July 2, 2025, by Vedanta Group CEO Deshnee Naidoo during a visit to the mine. The upgrade will increase tramming capacity from 850,000 tonnes per annum (ktpa) to approximately 1.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), with a long-term target of reaching 4 million tonnes annually.
Leading infrastructure firm Flint Rail Projects has been contracted to carry out the three-phase rehabilitation, starting at the 875-meter level of No. 4 Shaft. Completion is targeted for April 2026.
“This upgrade is essential,” said KCM Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Mewett. “Konkola Mine hosts one of the richest copper orebodies in the world, but deteriorating tracks have created bottlenecks. This project will modernize the system, allowing higher train speeds, fewer derailments, and reduced cycle times.”
KCM Director Mining Praveen Sharma described the investment as a “historic milestone”, the first major rail upgrade at the mine in over a decade.
He said the move is pivotal to KCM’s modernization strategy and aligns with Zambia’s national target of producing 3 million tonnes of copper by 2030.
The improved infrastructure is expected to directly support KCM’s goal of reaching 300,000 tonnes of copper output annually by 2031, cementing the company’s position as a key player in Zambia’s mining resurgence.
