Barrick's Lumwana Copper Mill Stays on Schedule
Barrick Mining reports its Zambian copper mill construction is on track for completion in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Construction
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Barrick Mining said construction of the copper mill at its Lumwana project in Zambia is on schedule for completion in Q4 2026. The expansion has spent $795 million of an expected $2 billion in total project capital to date.
Why it matters
The Lumwana expansion is designed to double annual copper output from 117,000 tonnes to 240,000 tonnes, a significant addition to supply. With all major long-lead equipment procured, the project's timeline depends on continued on-site progress.
Barrick reported Q3 2026 revenue of $5.07 billion and produced 50,000 tonnes of copper and 816,000 ounces of gold. The Lumwana expansion has spent $795 million of its $2 billion total budget so far.
The players
Barrick Mining
Barrick Mining is a gold and copper mining company whose Lumwana project in Zambia is among its major copper assets.
The details
The mill shells, trunnions, primary crusher and tailings thickener are already on site at Lumwana, and the primary crusher's third level is nearly complete. Work on the Lumwana tailings storage facility is expected to begin in Q4 2026, with first copper from the expansion projected for the end of Q1 2028.
Timeline
Q4 2026: Lumwana copper mill construction scheduled for completion.
End of Q1 2028: First copper expected from the Lumwana expansion.
Project Pipeline
The Lumwana expansion, which doubles production from 117,000 to 240,000 tonnes per year, represents a large copper addition for Barrick's portfolio. Its progress is being tracked against a Q4 2026 mill completion target and a first-copper date of late Q1 2028.
For copper buyers and investors tracking supply, the Lumwana expansion's schedule determines when additional output becomes available. Stakeholders should watch for the Q4 2026 mill completion and the planned start of tailings work as near-term milestones.
The takeaway
Major mine expansions are measured by milestones as much as by headline output, and the Lumwana project's progress will show up in its scheduled completions. Tracking these dates against the 2028 first-copper target offers a clear view of when new supply arrives.
What happens next
First copper from the Lumwana expansion is expected at the end of Q1 2028, and tailings storage facility work is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026.
Further reading
Explore more construction industry coverage to see how major mining projects like Lumwana are being built.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Polity.
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