The country, Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of Congo, produced 890,346 tonnes of copper last year, falling short of its one-million-tonne target despite an 8 percent rise in output from the previous year.
Copper is a key component in electric vehicles, power grids, and renewable energy systems, making it essential for the global shift toward low-carbon technologies.
Zambia’s Mines Minister, Paul Kabuswe, said the government is in talks with multiple international partners as it works to unlock investment needed to expand production capacity across its mining sector.
“The US is part of it,” Kabuswe said, referring to discussions with potential investors. However, he did not provide further details about the scope of the negotiations.
US interest highlights growing global race for critical minerals
Separate discussions are also underway between Lusaka and Washington regarding a health aid package worth more than $1 billion. Some health advocates have raised concerns that the funding could be tied to access to mining or data-sharing provisions.
Kabuswe rejected the suggestion, insisting the two issues are unrelated. “There is nothing linked to anything,” he said, adding that Zambia remains “very mindful” when negotiating international agreements.
He emphasised that the government intends to strike balanced agreements with foreign investors. “It has to be a win-win situation for Zambia and for the investors,” he said.
Beyond copper, Zambia holds significant deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese, lithium, graphite, and rare-earth elements, resources that are increasingly sought by global manufacturers and technology firms as demand for energy-transition minerals accelerates.
