• Zambia’s copper output rose 8% to 890,346 tonnes in 2025

• Growth driven by Mopani, Konkola and Kansanshi mine gains

• Production missed one-million-tonne target despite second yearly rise

Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, saw its output reach a total of 890,346 tonnes in 2025. This figure represents an 8% increase compared to the 825,513 tonnes reported in 2024.

Minister of Mines Paul Kabuswe announced the figures during a press briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 27. This performance marks the second consecutive year of growth for the Southern African nation.

The 2024 results already reflected a 12% increase compared to 2023. That rise ended three consecutive years of declining copper production in the country.

This momentum continued in 2025. It was driven notably by gains recorded at the Mopani mines, owned by International Resources Holding of the United Arab Emirates, which saw a 40% increase, and Konkola, owned by Vedanta Resources. The Kansanshi mine, operated by Canada’s First Quantum, also saw its production rise by 5%.

This annual increase did not, however, allow Zambia to meet its ambitions. Lusaka had hoped to reach the milestone of one million tonnes of copper in 2025, an intermediate step toward the goal of 3 million tonnes by 2031.

It will also be necessary to wait for the publication of export revenues to assess the economic impact of this growth. The increase comes as global copper prices have risen by more than 30% over the past year.

While production from certain mines, such as Kansanshi, is already expected to rise, the trajectory of Zambia’s national output in 2026 remains to be seen. New production is planned, notably at the Kitumba project led by China’s Sinomine Resources.

In the longer term, companies such as Barrick Mining (Lumwana), JCHX (Lubambe), and Vedanta have announced cumulative investments of more than one billion dollars. These investments aim to improve output and efficiency at their operations.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou