Zambia Copper Production Declines in Q2 Amid Mine Closures and Lower Ore Grades
Zambia’s copper production dipped slightly in the second quarter of the year as operational issues at four major mines weighed on output, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe announced on Thursday last week.
Kabuswe pointed to the closure of Sino Metals following an acid spill and reduced ore grades at First Quantum Minerals’ Trident mine as key factors behind the decline.
According to the minister, first-half production totaled about 439,644 metric tons. With first-quarter output reported at roughly 224,000 tons, second-quarter production is estimated at 215,644 tons.
Zambia, the world’s eighth-largest copper producer and Africa’s second-largest after the Democratic Republic of Congo, is closely monitoring the situation as copper remains a critical export and driver of its economy.
