First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has reported increases in copper production at both its Kansanshi and Sentinel mines in North-Western Province, reinforced by the completion of its S3 processing plant at Kansanshi.
Its Kansanshi operation in Solwezi reported 47,000 tonnes of copper production in the third quarter of this year, an increase of nearly 7,000 tonnes from the previous quarter. The improvement was mainly driven by higher mill throughput with the commissioning of the S3 expansion project, which was officially launched by President Hakainde Hichilema in August.
“The ramp-up of S3 has surpassed expectations, achieving first production in August and contributed approximately 6,000 tonnes of copper production to the quarter,” FQM Chief Operating Officer Rudi Badenhorst told investors as the company unveiled its financial and operational results for the third quarter of 2025.
The new processing plant — designed to treat 25 million tonnes of ore annually — incorporates cutting-edge technology and automation that will make the Kansanshi S3 expansion one of the most advanced copper projects in Africa. ”At the peak of construction, over 2,500 Zambians and 535 local Zambian companies worked on the project alongside FQM’s in-house teams — gaining skills and capacity that will serve them long after S3 is complete,” said Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall.
“Kansanshi’s copper production guidance estimate for the full 2025 year has been refined to 175,000 – 185,000 tonnes, while gold production guidance has been increased to 110,000 – 115,000 ounces. Copper and gold output in the fourth quarter is anticipated to surpass third-quarter levels, owing to a faster-than-expected ramp-up of the Kansanshi S3 Expansion throughput and recoveries,” said Mr Pascall.
“Operationally, production continued to improve quarter-over-quarter, and we remain on track with our production guidance for the year. We have successfully delivered the Kansanshi S3 Expansion project, which produced the first concentrate in August. This marks First Quantum’s ninth major self-built project in the last two decades that has allowed the company to grow into the leading global copper producer that it is today,” he said.
At the Sentinel mine in Kalumbila copper production was 51,000 tonnes in the third quarter, an improvement of over 8,000 tonnes compared with the second quarter. Copper production at Sentinel is expected to continue to improve in the fourth quarter as higher grades are accessed.
Production guidance for Sentinel in 2025 has been updated to 190,000 – 200,000 tonnes of copper, reflecting year-to-date performance.
Meanwhile, the company’s Enterprise nickel mine in Kalumbila produced 5,767 tonnes of nickel in the third quarter, a 44 percent increase over the previous quarter, driven by higher throughput and supported by a 19 percent improvement in recoveries quarter-over-quarter.
On the S3 expansion project, Mr Pascall said: “The Kansanshi S3 Expansion project successfully transitioned from commissioning to early operation, with first ore introduced in July and first concentrate produced in August. The project remains on schedule, with operational ramp-up underway, and is anticipated to finish under its original budget. The plant is now maintaining 24-hour operations with support from commissioning teams and vendor specialists, having contributed 6,136 tonnes of copper in Q3.”
About First Quantum Minerals Ltd
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and nickel. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2024, First Quantum globally produced 431,000 tonnes of copper, 139,000 ounces of gold and 24,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine and smelter in Solwezi, and the Sentinel copper mine and the Enterprise nickel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
http://www.first-quantum.com/
