The Lusaka High Court dismissed an appeal to the project.

Barrick bought the operation as part of a $7 billion deal two months after copper prices peaked in 2011.

The southern African nation is experiencing daily power cuts lasting up to 18 hours after a severe drought reduced water levels at the country's biggest hydro plant.

The western tip of the continent is seen as a new frontier as gold miners face a dearth of new discoveries globally.

Firestone will review 2020 guidance, following "unexpected" power cuts at its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho.

The plant will reduce the mines’ fuel consumption by 6.4 million liters and CO2 emissions by 18,000 tonnes per year.