FQM Sets Ambitious Goal for Zambia’s Copper Production by 2032
Zambia’s Copper Industry Targets 3 Million Tonnes by 2032 with Focus on Sustainability and Community Development
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has unveiled an ambitious vision for Zambia’s mining sector: achieving three million tonnes of copper annually by 2032. Speaking at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII) 2025, FQM Country Director Anthony Mukutuma stressed that this goal requires a combination of strategic planning, sustainable practices, and community engagement to ensure lasting benefits for the country.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Wealth: Advancing Sustainable Mining, Beneficiation & Value Addition,” the Insaka served as a platform for industry leaders to explore the future of Zambia’s vital mining sector.
“To produce three million tonnes each year, considering declining ore grades—from over 2% twenty years ago to approximately 0.4–0.5% today—we would need to mine about 815 million tonnes of ore, move 2.4 billion tonnes of waste, and build tailings dams capable of holding roughly 790 million tonnes,” Mr. Mukutuma explained.
He highlighted that such operations are highly capital-intensive, with financing costs varying significantly depending on the company’s market orientation.
Mr. Mukutuma also emphasized opportunities for Zambian businesses within the mining value chain, noting that managing waste alone could represent US$16 billion in contracting opportunities.
He praised the government’s implementation of the Local Content Statutory Instrument, which aims to increase the participation of Zambian companies across the sector.
Sustainable mining practices must prioritize communities, he said. “There is no point in supplying minerals for decades if communities see no tangible benefits,” he added.
He identified three critical pillars for the sector’s future: increased exploration, technology and innovation, and community engagement to ensure security of tenure. FQM is already integrating autonomous drills, trucks, and remote sensing technologies to manage tailings safely and improve productivity.
Focusing on Zambia’s young workforce, Mr. Mukutuma highlighted FQM’s Kwambula Trade School in Solwezi, which has trained over 544 youths, including 30 women now employed in mines.
He stressed that digital and future-ready skills, including AI and automation, are essential for enabling the workforce to seize upcoming opportunities.
On environmental responsibility, he noted Zambia’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which secures rehabilitation liabilities and encourages continuous environmental management. FQM’s Kansanshi and Trident Mines have conducted extensive revegetation of tailings and waste areas over the years.
Mr. Mukutuma concluded that the three-million-tonne target could generate a US$30–40 billion mining value chain annually, compared to the current US$2–3 billion. “Digital skills are not just about computers—they are about confidence, communication, and connection. We must prepare our youth so that when opportunity meets preparedness, they are ready,” he said.
FQM’s vision demonstrates that Zambia’s mining sector can combine ambition, sustainability, and community impact to deliver enduring economic and social value.
