Mining in Zambia - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Zambia’s Mining Pollution Poses Growing Environmental and Economic Risks 1

Concerns over mining pollution in Zambia are growing as experts highlight severe health risks and economic instability linked to environmental hazards. Economic analyst Kelvin Chisanga has raised alarm over the discharge of harmful chemicals into the country’s water bodies by mining companies, calling for urgent regulatory action. “The mining sector once promised economic growth, job creation, and increased revenue. However, with stakeholders failing to uphold environmental standards, we are witnessing a dangerous trend of pollution,” Chisanga stated. He emphasized that Zambia’s mining industry has long operated under weak regulatory oversight,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Zambia’s Economy Surpasses Growth Forecasts Amid Strong Q4 Performance

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Constance

Zambia’s economy outperformed expectations in 2023, exceeding growth forecasts from both the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), driven by a sharp rise in fourth-quarter output. According to preliminary data, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4% in 2023, down from 5.4% in 2022, acting Statistician-General Sheila Mudenda announced on Thursday. This figure far exceeded the IMF’s projection of 1.2% and the estimates of President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, Bloomberg reported. The economy recorded an impressive 8.6% growth in the last quarter—the fastest pace in over a decade—bolstered… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Bank of Zambia to Launch New Kwacha Banknotes on March 31

March 28, 2025March 28, 2025 Constance

The Bank of Zambia will introduce a new family of Kwacha banknotes on Monday, March 31, making them immediately legal tender while beginning the gradual phase-out of the existing designs. The new series includes the 500, 200, 50, 20, and 10 Kwacha notes, featuring: According to Kagolis Mwamulowe, Director of the National Heritage Conservation Commission, the new notes highlight Zambia’s unique natural heritage, including its diverse flora and fauna. Leonard Mwanza, CEO of the Bankers’ Association of Zambia, reassured the public that banks and ATMs are fully prepared for the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Zambia Records First Inflation Decline in Over a Year

March 27, 2025March 27, 2025 Constance

For the first time since July 2023, Zambia’s annual inflation rate has declined, offering some much-needed economic relief. Reports indicate that in March 2025, inflation dropped to 16.5%, down from 16.8% in February. The announcement was made by Acting Statistician-General Sheila Mudenda on Thursday in Lusaka. A key driver of the decline was a drop in food prices, particularly for essentials such as bread and cereal. This was largely due to increased rainfall following one of the worst droughts in nearly a century. Food price inflation fell to 18.9% in… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Energy

Zambia’s CEC to Invest $500 Million in Power Transmission and Solar Expansion

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 Constance

Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) plans to invest $500 million over the next two years to expand its power transmission infrastructure. The investment will focus on increasing solar power output and doubling the capacity of its crucial transmission line to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). CEC, which operates the only transmission link between the DRC and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), intends to raise power transfer capacity from 250 MW to 550 MW. This expansion aims to enhance regional energy security and meet the growing industrial demand in… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Zambia Secures $120 Million from World Bank to Boost Digital Infrastructure and Innovation

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 Constance

Zambia has secured $120 million in funding from the World Bank’s Digital Development Partnership to advance its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agenda, Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati announced. Speaking at the Global Digital Summit in Washington, D.C., Mutati highlighted that the funds will support AI development, expand connectivity, and promote digital skills training. This financial support builds on Zambia’s Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), which previously received $100 million from the World Bank to develop a strong digital ecosystem for public service delivery. Mutati emphasized the importance of… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia

Zambia Applauds FQM Minerals for Advancing Gender Equality in Mining

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 Constance

The Zambian government has commended First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for its ongoing efforts to promote gender equality within the mining sector, ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities to contribute to the country’s economic development. Speaking at the 2025 International Women’s Day celebrations, under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango praised FQM for creating more job opportunities for women, noting that many women are now employed as equipment operators at the company. Mrs. Nalumango reiterated the government’s commitment to gender-responsive… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Mining in Zambia

China to Invest $1.4 Billion in Upgrading Zambia-Tanzania Railway

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 Constance

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has committed over $1.4 billion to modernize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), a vital transport link for Zambia’s copper exports to Tanzania’s largest port. TAZARA plays a crucial role in exporting copper and cobalt from Central Africa while offering an alternative route to South Africa’s congested ports. However, years of neglect have left the railway in need of urgent repairs. Negotiations for a 30-year concession with CCECC are still in progress, according to Bruno Ching’andu, Managing Director of TAZARA Authority. “The decision to grant a… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Mining safety

Zambia Faces Environmental Crisis After Copper Mine Waste Spill

March 22, 2025March 22, 2025 Constance

A massive waste spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has raised serious environmental and health concerns, with authorities fearing long-term damage to the Kafue River, the country’s most vital waterway. According to an investigation by the Engineering Institution of Zambia, approximately 50 million liters of waste—containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals—spilled from the Chambishi copper mine into streams that feed into the Kafue River. The incident occurred on February 18 when a tailings dam at the mine, operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, collapsed. The company is… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Energy Events & Expos Partnership

Zambia and Mozambique Forge Key Energy Partnership with New MoUs

March 22, 2025March 22, 2025 Constance

Zambia and Mozambique have taken a significant step toward strengthening regional energy cooperation with the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing power trade and improving infrastructure development between the two nations. The agreements, formalized during the 2025 Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC), include an Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Understanding (IGMoU) for the development of the Mozambique-Zambia Power Interconnector. This major initiative is set to improve power trade, telecommunications, and power generation in the region. The Mozambique-Zambia Power Interconnector, valued at approximately USD 500 million, will… Read More Here