By 
The Copperbelt Mining Monitoring Team (CMMT) has expressed skepticism over government’s ambitious target of producing one million tonnes of copper by 2025, citing challenges in the mining industry, including inadequate power supply.
Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, recently projected that Zambia’s copper production would exceed one million tonnes by the end of 2025.
He attributed this optimism to increased production from mining companies such as Barrick Lumwana, Trident in Kalumbila, and Kansanshi Mines.
However, CMMT Executive Director, George Jere, in an interview with Zambia Monitor in Kitwe on Friday urged the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development to first disclose copper production figures for 2024 before setting such lofty goals.
Read more:policy-centre-applauds-new-mining-law-flags-key-concerns
“The Ministry needs to disclose how much copper was produced in 2024 before announcing the 2025 target,” Jere said.
>He warned that low power supply would continue to hinder production and called for detailed mine-specific targets to justify the one-million-tonne projection.
“Each mine should be given a specific target to achieve so that the ambition to increase copper production becomes realistic,” Jere suggested.
He also criticized some investors for exaggerating investment pledges, which he said could place the government in an awkward position.
Jere further urged the government to prioritize formalizing the mining sector and address frequent mining-related accidents, which he described as a growing concern.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments