ZCCM-IH Invests $50 Million in Landmark Phosphate Project to Boost Zambia’s Self-Sufficiency
Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines – Industrial Holdings (ZCCM-IH) has committed $50 million to a pioneering phosphate production project aimed at reducing Zambia’s reliance on imports and diversifying the nation’s mineral portfolio beyond copper.
The initiative will see the development of a mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) plant with an annual production capacity of 300,000 metric tons, alongside 750,000 metric tons of gypsum produced as a byproduct. The plant will be the first of its kind in Southern Africa.
ZCCM-IH Corporate Affairs Manager, Loisa Mbatha, described the project as a game-changer during an exclusive interview with Mafken News, emphasizing its strategic importance in insulating the company—and the country—against fluctuations in the global copper market.
“This investment marks a significant step toward economic diversification,” Mbatha said. “It opens up new opportunities in the fertilizer and chemical sectors while contributing to Zambia’s long-term industrial growth.”
ZCCM-IH will hold a 30% equity stake in the project, contributing $15 million in equity capital and an additional $12 million through debt financing. The balance of the funding will be sourced from private sector partners.
Mbatha also noted that Zambia currently imports all of its phosphate used in fertilizer and detergent production.
The establishment of a domestic MAP plant is expected to drive import substitution, create local jobs, and stimulate economic development across the value chain.
This investment reflects ZCCM-IH’s growing role as a diversified mineral investment vehicle committed to driving value for the Zambian economy beyond traditional copper mining.
SOURCE:efficacynews.africa
