Zambia-focused integrated copper producer and resource developer Jubilee has announced an updated near-term mine plan at its Molefe mine following recent results from the Phase 1 drilling and trenching programme.

“This marks another important milestone in Jubilee’s transition towards becoming a resource-backed copper producer, with the implementation of a structured mine plan at Molefe providing a clear pathway to sustainable and scalable production.

"Operations at Molefe mine continue to perform well and expand while we have simultaneously prioritised resource development. This plan reflects a disciplined approach to balancing production with long-term value creation," says Jubilee CEO Leon Coetzer.

Jubilee explains that recent drilling results have supported the integration of pits 2 and 3 into a single, larger openpit operation, which will allow for an accelerated stripping and pushback programme, improving mining efficiencies and access to the targeted copper reef.

The initial phase of the mine plan is focused on establishing a stable production profile, targeting ore delivery in excess of 15 000 t a month to the Sable refinery at a more consistent grade and at a sustainable unit cost per tonne.

The updated mine plan has been optimised to target a broader reef package, enabling the extraction of increased copper volumes across both high- and medium-grade material. This will be supported by the introduction of automated ore sorting on site allowing for the efficient classification of mined material.

High-grade ore will be transported directly to the Sable refinery for immediate processing while medium-grade material will be treated on site using an acid curing process to enhance copper solubility and overall recovery. This integrated strategy is designed to maximise resource utilisation, improve efficiencies and accelerate the conversion of mined material into revenue.

Importantly, Jubilee says, the next phase of development, which will start with a Phase 2 drilling programme, is focused on the eastern extension of the resource with the objective of progressing this area into construction and thereafter production within the next 12 months.

This supports the continued expansion of the resource base, with further drilling expected to extend mineralisation along strike and increase the overall mine life. Jubilee says this phased approach balances near-term production delivery with longer-term growth, positioning Molefe mine as a reliable and scalable source of copper feed to its Zambian processing operations.

"The integration of pits 2 and 3, together with an accelerated stripping programme, positions the operation to deliver a stable and consistent feed to our Sable Refinery. 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," says Coetzer.