Output fell 7.4% to 364,089 tons in the first half of 2022, data from the Zambia Chamber of Mines showed.

Smelting activity was hit by weakness in China and the biggest mining region South America.

Annual inflation, which hit 256.9% in July, has cast a shadow over President Emmerson Mnangagwa's bid to revitalise the economy.

About 700 tonnes of gold-bearing material has been recovered.

Platinum group metals have come off their highs seen during the early part of 2021, when the global economy started to emerge from the covid-19 shutdowns.

It is an unusual situation for companies that have experience operating anywhere in the world.

Sales were driven by strong jewelry demand in the US market.

The world is headed for a severe shortage of copper as new mines become increasingly difficult to build, said Duncan Wanblad.