Zambia Suspends Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira Operations Over Safety Lapses
Zambia Halts Mufulira Mine Operations at Mopani Copper Mines After Safety Violations
Zambia’s mining regulator has suspended operations at Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira mine after the company failed to account for all personnel working underground, the Minerals Regulation Commission said in a statement on Friday.
The suspension follows a series of recent accidents at Mopani’s facilities and stems from non-compliance with safety regulations that require mines to maintain accurate records of all underground workers at any given time.
“Operations will remain suspended until the mine rectifies all deficiencies identified in its personnel accounting system,” the commission said. It also announced plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of all Mopani assets, including the larger Nkana mine.
Mopani Copper Mines did not immediately comment on the suspension. The company is one of Zambia’s largest copper producers, a metal critical for clean energy technologies, and operates in the country, the world’s second-largest copper producer in Africa.
In 2024, International Resources Holding acquired a 51% stake in Mopani for $1.1 billion. The remaining shares are held by Zambia’s state-owned ZCCM Investments Holdings.
IRH has plans to invest $300 million to increase Mopani’s annual copper production to around 200,000 metric tons, up from the current output of approximately 70,000 metric tons.
