Total copper production in Zambia rose in 2024 as production resumed at key mines, Zambian mines and minerals minister Paul Kabuswe said today.
Copper output reached 820,676t in 2024, up by 12pc compared with 2023. Zambia aims to produce 3mn t/yr of copper by 2031.
Production increased despite a drought that limited hydroelectric energy supplies to the mining sector at the end of 2024.
The growth was driven by resumed operations at the Mopani underground copper mine, after International Resources Holding, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, bought a 51pc stake in the mine.
And output resumed at the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), which was the subject of an ownership battle between the Zambian government and UK-based Vedanta Resources.
The government handed over KCM to Vedanta, which plans to spend $1.3bn over the next five years to revive production.
Canada-based mining company Barrick's Lumwana copper mine began development of its super pit in October, which will double its copper production to 240,000 t/yr on completion.
And KoBold Metals, a mining and artificial intelligence firm backed by US investors, expects to invest $2bn in a new copper project in Zambia, Kabuswe said.
