Mechanized Mining Operations Begin At Mutoshi

KOLWEZI, DRC — In early September, Chemaf began mechanized mining at Mutoshi for the first time, extracting and staging ore ahead of the processing plant's commissioning.

The start of mechanized operations follows months of site preparation and construction since Virtus Minerals and JV partner Lloyds Metals acquired a majority interest in Chemaf in March 2026. It is a key step toward commissioning Mutoshi in early 2027.

The restart is supporting a broader local workforce buildout. The acquisition preserved 2,000 existing jobs, and approximately 2,000 construction contractors are supporting work across Mutoshi and Etoile. Employees who left during the years of uncertainty are returning, alongside experienced leaders and teams who continue to hold senior roles across Chemaf.

At Mutoshi, the company is advancing industrial development and the completion of the Mutoshi processing plant which will have the capacity to produce 50,000t copper and 20,000t cobalt a year, once the site is fully operational.