Hong Kong-listed MMG and other parts of China’s China Minmetals Corp have ordered US$64 million worth of Epiroc underground equipment for MMG’s $900 million Khoemacau copper mine expansion in northwest Botswana, with deliveries to start next quarter and continue into 2028.
MMG said in February this year the expansion would lift Khoemacau capacity to 130,000 tonnes of copper in copper concentrate per annum, plus more than four million ounces of silver pa, via a 4.5 million tonnes per annum processing boost to 8Mtpa and new mining at Zone 5 North, Mango and Zeta North-East.
First copper concentrate from the Kalahari Copper Belt expansion project is expected in the first half of 2028.
Stockholm-listed Epiroc’s CEO Helena Hedblom said the order from MMG and CMC group mining contractors China Huaye and 23MCC continued the manufacturer’s “long-standing cooperation” with the Chinese companies.
“We are proud to be a trusted partner to Chinese mining companies as they expand and operate internationally,” she said.
Epiroc was continuing its build-out of service facilities in Botswana to support customers in the region.
MMG Africa operations president Xia Weiquan said the Epiroc equipment – development and production drills, trucks, loaders and bolting rigs – and technical support would “enhance our underground mining productivity and safety in Botswana”.
