Copper
ZAMBIA COPPER KEY FIGURES 2025
| 2025 Production | Production Growth | Global Rank | 2031 Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 890,000 Mt | +8% | 7th largest producer | 3 million Mt |
Zambia’s copper production rose 8% in 2025 to over 890,000 metric tonnes, up from approximately 825,000 metric tonnes in 2024, as the world’s seventh-largest copper producer pursues a government target of 3 million metric tonnes of annual production by 2031.
The gain was led by a remarkable turnaround at Konkola Copper Mines, where output surged more than 366% on 2024 levels, alongside a 40% increase at Mopani Copper Mines, with two major investment projects, the USD 600 million Sinomine Kitumba project and the USD 1.25 billion Kansanshi S3 Expansion, driving the build-out toward that target.
Production Trend
Copper production rose 8% in 2025 to over 890,000 metric tonnes, up from approximately 825,000 metric tonnes in 2024, as the industry mounted a structured recovery from years of operational uncertainty and recapitalisation[1]. That followed a marked second-half improvement in 2024, when Zambia produced 820,676.34 metric tonnes of copper, up 12% from 732,583.45 metric tonnes in 2023, with production at the Lumwana mine doubling, Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines resuming operations, and the Mimbula Mine coming online, all despite severe drought that cut electricity supply to the industry through the year[2]. The recovery continued into 2026: the Bank of Zambia recorded copper output growing 3.5% in the first quarter of 2026, reversing a 5.5% contraction in the fourth quarter of 2025[3].
Mine-Level Performance
The 2025 gain was led by a remarkable turnaround at Konkola Copper Mines, where output surged more than 366% on 2024 levels, alongside a 40% increase at Mopani Copper Mines and continued production at Kansanshi and Lubambe Copper Mine[1]. Progress toward the government’s one-million-tonne milestone was tempered by a temporary halt at SINO Metals Leach following a tailings dam incident and reduced output at the FQM Trident Mine[1].
Prices and Global Position
The Zambia Development Agency positions the country as the world’s seventh-largest copper producer, with about 6% of global reserves, and production concentrated in Copperbelt Province though increasingly established in North-Western Province[4]. Global copper prices eased to USD 12,604.84 per metric tonne in March 2026, down from a record high of USD 13,015.43 at the start of 2025, though the Bank of Zambia expects a positive medium-term outlook on strengthened prices and expanding domestic output[3].
Investment Driving the Build-Out
Two major projects are driving the build-out toward the 2031 target. The USD 600 million Sinomine Kitumba project in Mumbwa moved into active development in 2025, with copper production expected to start in 2026, and includes a 50 megawatt solar plant to power operations and supply surplus energy to the national grid[1]. The USD 1.25 billion Kansanshi S3 Expansion Project is expected to extend the mine’s life by more than two decades and create approximately 1,500 new jobs by increasing milling capacity and recovery rates[1].
Investment Opportunities
The gap between 2025’s output of over 890,000 metric tonnes and the government’s 2031 target of 3 million metric tonnes, a more than threefold increase, implies a substantial multi-year build-out of new and expanded mining capacity beyond the Sinomine Kitumba and Kansanshi S3 projects already underway[1]. Copper’s role as a critical energy transition mineral, feeding global battery and renewable energy supply chains, also positions continued output growth against rising global demand, detailed further on the dedicated Mining page[1].
Last Update: September 2026
