Zambia looking to triple copper output in next decade
Updated | By AFP
Copper-rich Zambia plans to more than triple production of the mineral to three million tonnes a year within a decade, President Hakainde Hichilema said on Monday.
Hichilema took office last year with ambitious plans to review mining policies and turn around the economy of the Africa's second largest copper producer.
He told an annual Africa mining conference in South Africa that his country aimed to respond to the increasing demand for copper due to the use metal's use in many green energy technologies. s.
"We are determined to respond to the high demand for copper and have an audacious goal to take its annual production levels from the current 830,000 to three million metric tonnes in the next ten years," he said.
"This is indeed ambitious, but we are confident we can achieve it," reiterating his government's investor-friendly policies.
Mining production in the southern African country suffered in recent years due to the hostile relationship between the industry and the previous government.
Europe relies on Russia for copper and copper prices struck record highs on supply fears following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Show's Stories
-
Man reminds us not to mess with squid ink
It's no squid game messing around with squid ink...
The Workzone with Alex Jay 1 day, 21 hours ago -
Parents watch their child's first steps
The most precious moments in life are rarely recorded, so this family is...
The Workzone with Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp 1 day, 21 hours ago