CHINGOLA, ZAMBIA –21 September 2026: Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Plc has successfully cast its first copper anode following an approximately US$40 million rehabilitation of the Nchanga Smelter, the first major refurbishment of this scale undertaken at the facility in more than eight (8) years.

The milestone marks the restart of smelting operations after a 106-day shutdown and demonstrates Vedanta Resources’ commitment to rebuilding KCM’s operational assets through sustained investment, technical expertise and strengthened maintenance practices.

KCM Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Satish Kumar said the rehabilitation demonstrated Vedanta’s resolve to restore and strengthen KCM’s operational assets to support improved copper production.

“This is more than the restart of a smelter. It is visible evidence of Vedanta’s commitment to rebuilding KCM and securing the long-term future of its operations,” Mr Kumar said.

“When Vedanta returned to KCM, the smelter required extensive rehabilitation after more than eight years without a major refurbishment. We therefore brought together the technical expertise and financial resources required to address the condition of the plant comprehensively.”

Mr Kumar said extending the shutdown was a responsible decision based on safety, asset integrity and the long-term reliability of the smelter to safe guard and secure the jobs.

“Having made this significant investment, we must now maintain disciplined operating and maintenance practices to keep the smelter in good condition. This is essential to protecting the asset, preserving equipment reliability, safeguarding our people and supporting efficient and progressively higher copper production,” he said.

KCM Smelter and Refinery Director, Yoram Kapai said the rehabilitation programme involved more than 1500 people comprising both KCM and business partner employees.

Mr Kapai said the extensive programme was completed without a major injury, reflecting the strong commitment to safety demonstrated by employees, contractors, consultants and business partners throughout the shutdown.“

The successful casting of the first anode is the result of careful planning, technical expertise and the collective effort of everyone involved,” Mr Kapai said. “Our immediate priority is to stabilise operations and sustain safe, reliable and efficient performance.”

The Nchanga Smelter currently has an annual production capacity of 311,000 tonnes. 

Mineworkers Union of Zambia Nchanga Branch Chairman Ernest Lesa commended management and the workforce for successfully completing the major shutdown. He called for the health, safety and operational standards established during the rehabilitation programme to be maintained and strengthened.

When Vedanta returned to KCM, critical smelter infrastructure required extensive rehabilitation following several years without a major refurbishment programme. Vedanta consequently planned and mobilised the technical and financial resources required to restore the integrity of key equipment and establish a more reliable foundation for sustainable copper production.

The First Anode Casting Ceremony brought together KCM management, employees, contractors, consultants, business partners and union representatives to commemorate the safe return of the smelter to operation.

The shutdown was initially scheduled for 60 days. However, detailed inspections undertaken after the plant was opened identified additional critical work that required the programme to be extended to 106 days.

The decision to expand the scope reflected KCM’s commitment to completing the rehabilitation thoroughly and safely, rather than restarting the smelter before all necessary work had been undertaken. The refurbishment has given the facility a new lease of life and strengthened its prospects for safe, reliable and sustainable operation.

The programme included major works on the flash smelting furnace and slag-cleaning furnace; an upgrade of the anode casting wheel; repairs to the waste-heat recovery boiler and dry and wet electrostatic precipitators; replacement of a heat exchanger at the sulphuric acid plant; and replacement of molecular sieves at the oxygen plant.

Vedanta originally invested approximately US$350 million in the development of the state-of-the-art Nchanga Smelter, which was commissioned in 2010. The latest rehabilitation builds on that investment by restoring critical infrastructure, improving operational reliability and supporting the long-term sustainability of the facility.

The restart strengthens the reliability and efficiency of KCM’s smelting operations, supports the company’s production-growth strategy and contributes to Zambia’s national ambition to produce three million tonnes of copper annually by 2030.

About KCM

KCM is one of the largest copper producers in Zambia owned by Vedanta Resources (79.4%) and   ZCCM-IH (20.6%). KCM operates some of the world’s richest copper assets encompassing mining and processing plants located in four districts namely Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe. With an investment pledge of over $1 billion by Vedanta, KCM envisages to unlock key operations such as the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) in Chililabombwe and increase production to 300,000 tons of copper per year by 2030.

Issued by KCM Corporate Affairs