Zambia’s 2025 copper production up 8%, misses target

Zambia’s copper production last year rose 8%, driven by higher output at major mines, the mines ministry said on Tuesday.

Africa’s second-largest copper producer’s output was 890,346 metric tons in 2025, up from 825,513 tons the previous year but missing a target of 1 million tons.

The country plans to raise output to 3 million tons by 2031 as it seeks to take advantage of growing demand for copper, which is used in electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.

Last year’s rise in output was mainly driven by Vedanta’s Konkola Copper Mines, which recorded a four-fold increase to 80,215 metric tons.

Mopani Copper Mines, which was acquired by the United Arab Emirates’ International Resources Holding in 2023, increased its output by 40%.

There were also production increases at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine and China’s JCHX Mining’s Lubambe mine, the ministry said.

Zambia, however, failed to reach its output target last year partly because of a tailings dam collapse in February, which forced Sino-Metals Leach to suspend production.

Another significant copper mine, First Quantum Minerals’ Trident, recorded an 18% decline in output partly due to lower grades.

(By Chris Mfula, Nelson Banya and Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Louise Heavens and Kirsten Donovan)