The plan will include a temporary phase of "environmental preservation and safe management," the company said.

Shingo Ueno, 64, has played a pivotal role in leading Sumitomo's metals, resources and chemicals businesses.

Zambia had been seeking a new investor for Mopani since it took control of the assets from Glencore in 2021.

Sandfire said last month it had damaged an artefact scatter at its Monty cooper mine in 2017 and 2018.

The Argentina President singled out cutting costs for mining companies that in recent years have been lured to vast deposits in the Andes.

The proposed mine, if built, would represent the largest in North America.

ENRC has always denied any wrongdoing and argued the UK's Serious Fraud Office would not have launched its investigation if it had not first induced the company's former lawyer to act against its interests.

First Quantum received an initial “framework” from Panamanian authorities on Tuesday for closing the mine by June 2024.