KALUMBILA, Zambia (Reuters) – Barrick Gold is keen to explore for more copper deposits in Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo as the miner seeks to expand its presence on the African copperbelt, its CEO said on Friday.
The world’s No. 2 gold miner wants to explore for deposits of the metal in southern parts of Congo, while expanding and extending the life of its Lumwana mine in Zambia, CEO Mark Bristow said.
“We are looking at exploration opportunities across the country just as we are looking for exploration opportunities in southern Congo,” Bristow said during a briefing at Lumwana mine.
Barrick is considering plans to develop Lumwana mine, which currently produces about 267,000 metric tons of copper into a tier one asset as well as to extend the life of the operation to 2060.
Zambia, where Barrick has its Lumwana mine, is Africa’s second-largest copper producer, after its northern neighbour Congo.
Barrick plans to spend more to build Lumwana into a bigger operation, Bristow said, declining to provide figures.
The CEO declined to comment on market speculation that his company was interested in First Quantum Minerals but said Barrick would adopt a cautious approach to doing deals in the sector.
(Reporting by Chris Mfula, writing by Felix Njini, Editing by Louise Heavens)
