Zambian Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) started extensive rehabilitation on Monday at its Baluba mine, closed for almost three years, Swiss owner J&W Holdings said.
Jerry Goram, J&W Holdings chief executive officer for Africa, told Reuters the firm had started to carry out repairs on machinery and underground equipment.
"We are carrying out extensive and expensive rehabilitation to machinery and equipment," he said. "The underground mine is, however, in very good condition and production of copper will start at the earliest possible time."
J&W Holdings said on Saturday that Baluba would soon begin to produce 5,000 tonnes of copper ore per day after employing 600 miners, but gave no date for resuming production.
"Production will resume at the earliest possible time," Goram said.
LCM, majority owned by J&W Holdings, bought the Baluba mine last month. Baluba was previously part of the Roan Antelope Mining Corporation of Zambia (Ramcoz).
Ramcoz owned the Baluba and Luanshya mines, which were closed down in October 2000 when power supply was cut over a $20 million unpaid bill.
J&W Holdings, which owns 85 percent of LCM, bought both mines but said it would only operate the Baluba mine because equipment at the Luanshya mine was obsolete. The Zambian government holds the remaining 15 percent of LCM.
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