ZCCM-IH launched action in Oct 2016 to sue First Quantum over claims that the company borrowed $2.3bn from copper mining subsidiary without informing them.
The company halted production of refined copper at its smelter at the Utah-based mine in October, following the death of a worker who was exposed to sulphur dioxide gases at the plant while removing debris from a boiler.
Production at the Queensland-based operation was halted in 2015 because of falling zinc prices. Since then, prices for the metal have more than doubled.
The Russian state-controlled diamond miner increased fourth-quarter production by 6 percent year-on-year to 10.1 million carats as a shutdown at its Mir mine was offset by higher output at other assets.
When it comes to finally reaching a deal to secure Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s long-term right to keep mining in Indonesia, the ball appears to be firmly in Rio Tinto Group’s court.