President Hichilema Appoints Brenda Tambatamba as Zambia’s Mines Minister
Brenda Tambatamba Appointed Zambia’s Mines and Minerals Development Minister
President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed Brenda Tambatamba as Minister of Mines and Minerals Development as Zambia pursues plans to increase annual copper production to three million tonnes by 2031.
Tambatamba was among 24 Cabinet ministers sworn in at State House in Lusaka on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, following Hichilema’s re-election in August.
She previously served as Minister of Labour and Social Security. Before entering politics, she worked as a sustainability manager at Barrick’s Lumwana copper mine, bringing industry experience to her new portfolio.
Her appointment comes during the implementation of Zambia’s national copper production strategy, which seeks to increase output through investment in existing mines, new projects, exploration and mineral processing.
The strategy also covers the supply of goods and services to mining operations, linking production growth with opportunities for businesses operating across the sector.
Government has identified increased revenue, foreign exchange earnings and employment among the intended benefits of expanding copper production.
The strategy also recognises copper’s role in the global energy transition, particularly its use in electricity infrastructure and related technologies.
One of the projects supporting Zambia’s production ambitions is Barrick’s Lumwana Super Pit expansion. According to the company’s second-quarter 2026 update, the project remained on schedule to deliver first copper from the expansion at the end of the first quarter of 2028.
The expanded operation is projected to produce approximately 240,000 tonnes of copper annually over a mine life exceeding 30 years.
At the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony, Hichilema called for stronger coordination across government and directed ministers, permanent secretaries and senior officials to participate in strategic sessions aimed at improving delivery.
Tambatamba takes responsibility for the mining portfolio as these investment projects and the national production strategy move towards their stated targets.
