Zambia copper output seen at 2 million Tonnes by 2015

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Situmbeko Musokotwane told Reuters new mines and expansion projects by Canada's First Quantum Minerals, Brazil's Vale, Equinox, London-listed Vedanta and Glencore International AG [GLEN.UL] would boost copper production.

"We are opening new mines and expanding others so in all, in the next five years, we will be close to 2 million tonnes," Musokotwane said in an interview.

Musokotwane said copper production was expected to rise to the targeted 1 million tonnes by 2012.

First Quantum on Friday launched the start of construction of a $1 billion copper mine in north-western Zambia, which is due to start operations in 2014 with peak production estimated at 300,000 tonnes.

Vedanta's Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) plans to invest $1 billion in the next 3-4 years on expansion and upgrades in a bid to become a major global copper producer, its chief executive said in December last year.

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