Initial production from Kakula, the first of at least three copper mines planned at Kamoa-Kakula, is scheduled for late 2021.

West Africa has long been considered a risky prospect where political instability, volatile tax regimes and tricky relations with small-scale miners weigh heavily on boardrooms.

The mines contain an estimated 160 million tonnes of mixed copper and polymetallic ore.

The state miner saw its production in the first nine months of 2019 drop 6.7% versus the previous year.