Webber Wentzel's Mining Sector Round Up 2024

Mining in Zambia

The mining industry is the largest source of income for Zambia which boasts a broad range of minerals including, copper, gold, cobalt, zinc, lead, iron ore, manganese, nickel and platinum group elements, gemstones, industrial minerals and energy production minerals (uranium, coal and hydrocarbons). As Africa's second-largest producer of copper, Zambia is highly dependent on mining, which accounts for 70% of total export earnings.

Zambia is the world’s 9 th largest producer of copper and holds 6% of the world’s known copper reserves.

Mining contributed 13.7% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023 and currently Zambia produces 4% (800,000 metric tons) of the world’s copper.

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