This move will allow Jubilee to ramp up mining activity substantially, with copper reef production expected to increase fourfold, from 15 000 tons per quarter to 60 000 tons per quarter once development is complete.
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JSE-listed Jubilee Metals has unveiled an upgraded near-term mine plan for its Molefe Mine in Zambia, outlining a major expansion strategy aimed at significantly increasing copper production while supporting long-term growth.
The announcement marks a key step in Jubilee’s transition into a resource-backed copper producer, following encouraging results from its Phase 1 drilling and trenching programme.
The updated plan focuses on improving mining efficiencies, expanding output and ensuring a stable supply of ore to the company’s processing facilities. Central to the strategy is the integration of Pit 2 and Pit 3 into a single, enlarged open-pit operation.
This move will allow Jubilee to ramp up mining activity substantially, with copper reef production expected to increase fourfold, from 15 000 tons per quarter to 60 000 tons per quarter once development is complete.
To enable this expansion, the company will undertake approximately four months of development work, including the removal of around 400 000 tons of overburden. This accelerated stripping programme is designed to improve access to the targeted copper reef and enhance operational efficiency.
The revised mine plan also targets a broader copper reef zone, delivering an average grade of about 1.4% total copper to surface. This material will then be processed using a dual strategy that separates high-grade and medium-grade ore.
High-grade ore will be transported directly to Jubilee’s Sable Refinery for immediate leaching, supporting faster revenue generation. Meanwhile, medium-grade material will undergo on-site processing through an acid curing process to improve copper recovery before being refined at Sable.
The introduction of automated ore sorting technology is expected to play a critical role in this process, enabling more efficient classification of mined material and maximising resource utilisation.
Jubilee CEO Leon Coetzer described the updated plan as a milestone in the company’s development, highlighting its importance in balancing short-term production with long-term value creation.
"Operations at Molefe Mine continue to perform well and expand whilst we have simultaneously prioritised resource development. This plan reflects a disciplined approach to balancing production with long-term value creation," Coetzer said.
He said the integration of the pits and the focus on processing high-grade material first would help accelerate cash generation while ensuring a consistent feedstock for the refinery. At the same time, the company remains committed to unlocking the broader potential of the Molefe project.
"By prioritising the direct processing of high-grade material while upgrading medium-grade ore on-site, we are accelerating cash generation and maximising value from the resource. Importantly, our focus now extends to unlocking the full potential of the Molefe Project," Coetzer said.
Looking ahead, Jubilee is preparing to launch its Phase 2 drilling programme, which will focus on the eastern extension of the deposit. Early results from Phase 1 have already confirmed the presence of significant additional copper mineralisation in this area.
The company aims to fast-track this extension into construction and initial production within the next 12 months, a move that could further expand the scale of operations and extend the mine’s lifespan.
"Drilling of the eastern extension is the immediate focus of the Phase 2 programme, with the objective of progressing this area into construction and first production within the next 12 months. This represents a key step in expanding the scale of operations and extending the life of the project," Coetzer said.
"We believe this phased development approach strengthens our ability to deliver reliable copper production while building a long- term, resource-driven growth platform in Zambia."
The Molefe Mine is expected to play an increasingly important role within Jubilee’s copper portfolio, particularly as global demand for the metal continues to rise amid the energy transition and electrification trends.
With the upgraded mine plan now in motion, Jubilee is positioning itself to deliver more consistent production, improved cost efficiencies and enhanced long-term returns from its Zambian assets.
As the company advances both operational expansion and exploration, the Molefe project is emerging as a cornerstone of its strategy to build a scalable, resource-driven copper business in the region.
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