Zijin Mining starts copper production at Qulong mine

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. said Dec. 26 that it started Phase 1 production at the Qulong copper mine in Tibet.

Zijin owns a 50.1% stake in Tibet Julong Copper Industry Co. Ltd., which owns mining rights for the Qulong and Zhibula copper mines.

Julong Copper is expected to produce 120,000 tonnes to 130,000 tonnes of copper at both mines in 2022, after Phase 1 of the Qulong copper mine is put into production.

After Qulong's Phase 1 reaches the designated production capacity, annual production volume is expected at about 160,000 tonnes of copper.

Meanwhile, Zijin said that the application for the merger of the mining rights for the Qulong and Rongmucuola copper mines is in process. After the merger, the mine will be named the Julong copper mine and will be the largest porphyry copper mine in China.