(3 Minutes Read)
Zambia’s copper production saw a modest decline in Q2 2025, falling to approximately 215,644 metric tonnes from 224,000 tonnes in Q1. This brings the total output for the first half of the year to 439,644 tonnes, according to the Ministry of Mines.
Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe attributed the drop to operational issues at key sites, including a temporary shutdown at Sino Metals due to an acid spill and reduced ore grades at First Quantum Minerals’ Trident mine.
As Africa’s second-largest copper producer, Zambia’s output is crucial to regional and global markets. The decline occurs against a backdrop of volatile global copper prices and evolving demand patterns linked to renewable energy and technology sectors.
Read Also:
While the current setbacks may be temporary, they highlight the sector’s vulnerability to disruptions and the need for sustained investment in infrastructure, safety, and ore quality. Zambia’s copper performance remains under close regional and global watch, especially given the strategic importance of copper in the global energy transition.