LUANSHYA Copper Mine (LCM) yesterday commenced trial copper mining after undertaking rock blasting at Baluba, company deputy chief executive officer Gao Xiang has said.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Goa said commencement of the trial copper production marked the beginning of copper mining activities at the mine.

"As the mine's managers we are happy that all the preparations for the commencement of production and the blasting which started today (Tuesday) is going on smoothly as scheduled," Mr Gao said.

Mr Goa said LCM was expected to start producing 1,000 tonnes of copper per month approximately 11,000 tonnes per year before increasing to 2,000 tonnes per month.

He said the company was aiming at increasing the production levels to 5,000 tonnes per month totalling 60, 000 tonnes per annum after 2011.

The number of employees at the mine is also expected to increase from the current 2,250 once the mine increases production.

LCM was closed early this year and placed on care and maintenance after global commodity prices fell on the international market.

The then mine owners Enya Holdings said they were not ready to continue with operations.