Zambia's Konkola Extends Nchanga Mine Life by 10 yrs

LUSAKA Aug 4 (Reuters) - Zambia's Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) owned by London-listed Vedanta Resources (VED.L) said on Wednesday it had extended the life of its Nchanga copper mine by more than 10 years after improvements in the operation.

Nchanga is one of KCM's biggest mines. All of KCM's operations last year produced a total 173,000 tonnes of copper.

"As a direct result of the strategic decisions taken in recent years, including out-sourcing 80 percent of entire operations and maintenance activities, KCM has extended the life of open pit mining at Nchanga by more than 10 years," KCM spokesman Rahul Kharkar said in a statement.

Kharkar said improvements had boosted output at the mine and the company managed to stock 1 million tonnes of ore ahead of the last rainy season.