Zambia-focused integrated copper producer and resource developer Jubilee Metals’ total saleable copper production for the nine months ended March 31 increased by 28.7% year-on-year to 2 177 t.

Production at the Roan concentrator increased to 1 999 t of copper units, a 112.7% year-on-year increase.

Further, the Sable refinery produced 957 t of copper cathodes for the period, an increase from the 751 t produced in the nine months to March 31, 2025.

Commissioning of the expanded Roan copper concentrate facility is near completion with the ramp-up of dewatered fine copper concentrate production under way during May.

The circuit is currently operating at about 75% of the targeted production rate of 110 t to 120 t of contained copper a month.

The dewatering circuit has a design capacity of about 230 t of contained copper a month, enabling the simultaneous processing of the historical stockpile (14 000 t) and additional production of fine copper concentrate at the aforementioned rate.

Meanwhile, the Molefe mine’s operations continue to expand, with 250 162 t of ore mined during the period, of which 20 064 t, at an average grade of 1.84% copper, were transported to Sable refinery.

Implementation of the near-term mine plan at the Molefe mine is under way.

An accelerated stripping programme to expand Pits 2 and 3 into a single openpit mine is progressing to plan and expected to be fully completed by July.

During April, more than 250 000 t of pre-stripping material was removed as part of the stripping programme, which will support significant increased delivery of copper run-of-mine to the Sable Refinery once completed.

Jubilee is reviewing its copper production guidance for the financial year to end on June 30, mainly as a result of the updated Molefe mine plan following the completion of the Phase 1 drilling programme, which informed the fast-tracking of the expanded stripping programme to further enlarge Pits 2 and 3 into a single large openpit.

There is also the short delay in the commissioning and ramp-up of the expanded concentrate dewatering circuit at Roan, which delayed the step-up of the expected additional 110 t of equivalent copper units from Roan.

Commissioning is near completion, with ramp-up expected to reach targeted production during May.

Jubilee expects to provide a further update on guidance following confirmation by the contracted consulting firm of progress with the expansion programme at the Molefe mine, as well as the expanded concentrate dewatering circuit reaching steady-state operation, which is anticipated within the coming weeks.

“We continue to make strong progress in delivering our Zambia copper strategy, with Roan sustaining targeted production rates and the expanded concentrate circuit now entering ramp-up after minor technical and logistical delays, marking a key step-change in our processing capability,” says Jubilee CEO Leon Coetzer.

“Our focus remains firmly on disciplined, milestone-driven execution. At Molefe mine, continued operational expansion, supported by encouraging drilling results, highlights the strength of our transition towards a resource-backed copper producer.

“While heavy rains impacted on the quarter, momentum remains strong as we advance the mine plan and plan increased production. Importantly, the company continues to produce while building a scalable resource base, positioning Jubilee to deliver both near-term returns and long-term value. This integrated approach gives us strong confidence in delivering sustained and scalable growth in copper production,” he adds.