China's second largest single copper deposit — Yulong copper mine — started operations at an expanded capacity this week, according to mining firm Zijin Mining, which has a stake in the mine.
Mined copper capacity of the Yulong mine, which is located in southwest China's autonomous Tibet region, has increased to 150,000 t/yr following the expansion from 120,000 t/yr previously, with 4.5mn t/yr of additional ore processing capacity. The 120,000 t/yr capacity started operations on 18 December 2020.
With a reserve of over 6mn t containing an average copper grade of 0.55pc, Yulong is currently China's second largest copper mine in terms of reserves, following Zijin Mining's Qulong copper mine with a capacity of 160,000 t/yr, which commenced production on 26 December 2021.
China's diversified mining company West Mining owns a 58pc stake in Yulong copper mine and Zijin Mining 22pc. West Mining has an iron ore reserve of 284.1mn t, as well as a lead ore reserve of 1.79mn t, zinc ore reserve of 3.27mn t, molybdenum ore reserve of 361,000t, nickel ore reserve of 270,600t, vanadium pentoxide ore reserve of 589,400t, silver ore reserve of 2,514.42t and gold ore reserve of 12.75t.
Zijin raised its mined copper output during January-September, mainly driven by increased production from its Kamoa-Kakula mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
