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Mopani Copper Mines Plc has set an ambitious target to produce 226,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually within the next four years as part of its ongoing expansion drive, following recapitalization under new strategic equity partner, International Resources Holding (IRH).
Speaking during the 2025 Zambia Mining and Investment Conference in Lusaka, Mopani’s Chief Executive Officer, Charles Sakanya, said the expansion programme was already transforming operations, unlocking value, and supporting Zambia’s goal of reaching three million tonnes of refined copper output nationally in the coming years.
“Once the expansion projects are completed, Mopani expects to produce 226,000 tonnes of copper concentrate annually, translating to 7.5 percent of the three million tonnes cathode national target,” he said, adding that exploration activities within the company’s license areas were also underway to further increase production to 300,000 tonnes.
Sakanya said Mopani’s long-term vision is to double its copper production to over 500,000 tonnes within the next decade, while its strategic partner, IRH, aspires to become a one-million-tonne copper company in Zambia.
He said the company reported strong progress since IRH’s onboarding 18 months ago, following the 51–49 percent shareholding agreement with ZCCM-IH.
Sakanya stated that recapitalization and modernization efforts had spurred job creation, with more than 2,700 new positions added by the end of September 2025, bringing Mopani’s total workforce to over 13,600 — a 22 percent increase since March 2024.
He said the company has also strengthened its local content policy, awarding long-term mining contracts worth over US$73 million to three Zambian contractors for the first time in its history.
In addition, all foreign contractors are now required to subcontract at least 20 percent of their contract value to Zambian companies, benefitting five local firms so far.
He said the company was also advancing digital transformation by deploying optic fiber Wi-Fi connectivity and AI-based systems across its underground operations to enhance safety, efficiency, and real-time communication between underground and surface control centers.
“Our ongoing investments are laying a solid foundation for a resilient, productive, and inclusive mining future, not only in Kitwe and Mufulira but across Zambia,” Sakanya said.
He highlighted that Mopani’s expansion projects — including the sinking of new shafts at Nkana, Mindola, and Mufulira, and the construction of a new concentrator at Nkana — would safeguard current jobs and create more opportunities for Zambians in the years ahead.
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