Democratic Union leader, Njobvu, describes govt’s 3 million-tonne copper target as misplaced

Democratic Union party leader, Ackim Njobvu, has faulted government’s plan to increase copper production to three million metric tonnes by 2031, describing the target as misplaced because Zambia reportedly had little control its mines.

The UPND government had set a target of producing one million metric tonnes by 2025 and three million by 2031, citing policy stability and fiscal incentives as key drivers of growth in the mining sector.

However, Njobvu argued that the emphasis on production targets overlooks the need for Zambians to meaningfully benefit from the country’s mineral resources.

He said in a statement issued on Sunday that government should reconsider its approach, warning that pursuing higher output without addressing ownership and control of mines would disadvantage citizens.

“We cannot set such an ambitious target when we do not have control over the mines. We have given the mines a lot of tax incentives, and again we are giving them a bonus to mine more and take it out of the country. This, for me, is misplaced,” Njobvu said.

He said Zambia could only pursue such production levels when it had greater control over the mining sector.

“We can only set such an ambitious target when we know that whatever is being mined, the capital remains in the country. Our people must begin benefiting from the mining resources instead of allowing other countries to benefit,” he said.

Njobvu also questioned the country’s mineral reserves, stating that despite mining copper, gold and other minerals, Zambia had little to show for it due to what he described as misplaced priorities and weak leadership.

He called for the promotion of local direct investment in the mining sector, arguing that citizen participation would help ensure resources remain in Zambian hands.

Njobvu further said achieving this would require a change in leadership in the next general elections, adding that Zambia needed leaders with fresh and innovative ideas to take charge.

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