Copper mining in Zambia - history and future

Abstract

The Zambian copper mining industry as we know it today had its genesis in the 1920s.Consistent private sector-driven investment in the industry over a period of over 50 years in exploration, mine development and operation, development of minerals processing facilities, building of infrastructure for pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processing, with attendant support facilities, including building of whole new towns, resulted in copper production rising to a peak of 769 000 t in 1969, providingover 62 000 direct jobs.The industry was nationalized in 1973 and remained in government hands for just over 24 years.During this period, the industry experienced a serious decline in production levels, reaching the lowest level in the year 2000 when production was 250 000 t.An average of just under 2000 jobs were lost every year in the 24-year period, reaching just over 22 000 direct jobs in 2000.Following the return of Zambian politics to pluralism and liberalized economic policies, the government decided to privatize the mining industry.The process started in 1996 and by the year 2000 all the mining assets had been privatized.The new investors embarked on serious investment to upgrade the assets and to develop greenfield mining projects.Fourteen years later and after more than US$12 billion investment, production levels increased year-on-year to a peak of 763 000 t in 2013 with direct jobs reaching 90 000.This paper discusses the impact of the mining industry in Zambia on the economy in areas such as employment, support for other industries, direct contribution to the national gross domestic product (GDP), foreign exchange earnings, and social amenities.The paper also focuses on the performance of the mines during these periods vis-à-vis mineral availability, mineral grades and complexity, new technologies, and human capital.This is looked at particularly in the light of current challenges the industry is facing.Suggestions are proposed on how the industry can be nurtured to continue being a major driver for the Zambian economy and a major player in the international copper mining business.