Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-11 12:42Core Viewpoint - Zijin Mining's strategic investment in the Kamoa-Kakula copper project in the Democratic Republic of Congo has transformed into a significant asset, leading to substantial increases in copper resources and production capacity, positioning the company as a major player in the global copper market [3][30]. Group 1: Investment and Acquisition - In 2015, during a downturn in the global commodities market, Zijin Mining invested 25.2 billion RMB to acquire a 49.5% stake in the Kamoa-Kakula copper project, which initially had a copper resource of 24 million tons [3][8]. - The project is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known for its high copper reserves, contributing significantly to the country's foreign exchange income [5][6]. Group 2: Exploration and Resource Expansion - Following the acquisition, Zijin Mining increased exploration efforts, leading to the discovery of an additional 9.4 million tons of copper resources, raising the total to 33.4 million tons, making it the largest copper mine in Africa and among the top ten globally [12][14]. - By 2021, the total copper resource at the Kamoa-Kakula project had exceeded 43 million tons, more than doubling since Zijin's initial investment [14]. Group 3: Production and Operational Efficiency - The first phase of the project commenced in 2016, with the processing plant achieving production a year ahead of schedule, processing 3.8 million tons of copper ore annually [20][22]. - By 2022, the project's annual copper production capacity reached over 450,000 tons, making it the largest copper mine operated by a Chinese company overseas and the fourth largest globally [22][24]. Group 4: Future Prospects and Strategic Goals - Zijin Mining aims to enhance the Kamoa-Kakula project's processing capacity to 19 million tons per year by 2029, potentially increasing annual copper output to over 800,000 tons [34]. - This expansion is expected to solidify Zijin Mining's position in the global copper market and provide a reliable overseas resource base to meet China's growing copper demand [34][36].