Zijin Mining is advancing expansion programmes in Serbia’s Bor mining district that could lift combined copper production to approximately 450,000 tonnes per year.
The company’s Čukaru Peki and Bor operations produced 296,000 tonnes of copper in 2025, together with 9.1 tonnes of gold. Zijin’s production guidance for 2026 remains at around 296,000 tonnes of copper, while longer-term projects are intended to increase output substantially. At Čukaru Peki, development work includes debottlenecking the Upper Zone and advancing the deeper Lower Zone through shafts and conveyor declines. Zijin is also working on power-supply infrastructure and optimisation of processing and tailings designs.
Expansion Across the Bor District
Development activity is also progressing at Malka Golaja, where drilling is continuing alongside early preparations for electricity supply and shaft permitting. Zijin reports that the deposit contains substantial copper and gold resources.
The planned increase in production would build on an established mining district rather than require development of an entirely new greenfield operation. Bor already has operating mines, processing infrastructure, an experienced workforce and significant existing copper production.
Infrastructure and Underground Development
The expansion programme will require continued work on underground mine development, processing capacity and supporting infrastructure as production increases.
At Čukaru Peki, the development of the Lower Zone includes new shafts and conveyor declines, while optimisation of processing and tailings systems is being pursued alongside improvements to power supply. At Malka Golaja, electricity infrastructure and shaft permitting are being prepared while exploration drilling continues.
Growing Role in European Copper Supply
Copper demand is linked to electricity grids, electric vehicles, renewable generation, industrial electrification and defence systems, while major new copper developments globally face high costs and lengthy permitting processes.
Zijin’s expansion of the Bor district therefore involves increasing production from an existing mining and processing base. The development programme will require continued attention to underground execution, environmental performance, infrastructure capacity and social licence as output grows. If the long-term target of approximately 450,000 tonnes of annual copper production is achieved, Serbia’s Bor district would represent a substantially larger source of primary copper for the European market.
