LUSAKA, Zambia – Zambia is accelerating plans to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of critical minerals, with an ambitious strategy to increase annual copper production to 3 million tonnes by 2031 while expanding exploration, improving investment regulations and strengthening regional transport infrastructure.
The government’s long-term vision aims to more than triple the country’s current copper output of approximately 890,346 tonnes, positioning Zambia as a key global supplier of copper and other energy transition minerals.
Expanding Exploration Across Zambia
To support this growth, the government is extending exploration beyond the traditional Copperbelt into the resource-rich North-Western Province, while undertaking one of the country’s largest geological mapping programmes.
The nationwide geophysical survey will cover more than half of Zambia’s land area and is expected to identify new deposits of copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel and rare earth elements, providing investors with reliable geological data to support future exploration and mine development.
According to Vis Reddy, Chairman of SRK Consulting (South Africa), comprehensive geological information plays a critical role in attracting investment.
“The country’s ambitious exploration programme and comprehensive mapping of underexplored areas are important in attracting would-be investors,” Reddy said, noting that investors require reliable resource data before committing significant capital to new mining projects.
Improving the Investment Environment
Alongside its exploration drive, Zambia has introduced several regulatory reforms aimed at improving transparency and making it easier to invest in the mining sector.
These include a modern online mining cadastre system and streamlined business registration procedures, measures that have already begun attracting interest from international investors, including sovereign wealth funds and private investment groups from the Middle East and India.
Building Regional Export Corridors
The country’s strategic location in Southern Africa is also expected to strengthen its position as a regional mining hub through major transport infrastructure developments.
The planned expansion of the Lobito Corridor, linking Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast, together with a proposed railway connecting the country to ports on Africa’s eastern seaboard, will provide mining companies with more efficient access to global export markets.
These transport corridors are expected to reduce logistics costs, improve supply chain efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of Zambia’s mineral exports.
Reliable Power Remains a Priority
Despite the positive outlook, energy security continues to be one of the mining sector’s biggest challenges.
The government has set a target of delivering reliable electricity to both industrial and domestic consumers by 2032, while encouraging mining companies to diversify their energy sources through solar power projects, private transmission infrastructure and regional electricity imports.
Improving power reliability is viewed as essential to supporting future mine expansions and attracting new investment.
ESG Standards Becoming Increasingly Important
As international investment into Zambia’s mining sector grows, environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance is becoming a key consideration for project developers and financiers.
Engineering consultancy SRK Consulting has reinforced its commitment to Zambia by establishing a permanent office in Kitwe, allowing the company to support the country’s expanding mining industry more closely.
The firm has highlighted the growing technical challenges associated with deeper mining operations, including geotechnical stability, water management and tailings storage safety.
According to SRK, adherence to internationally recognised standards such as the Copper Mark and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) will be essential for mining companies seeking to secure long-term investment and maintain their social licence to operate.
With increased exploration activity, modernised regulations, improved transport infrastructure and a renewed focus on sustainability, Zambia is positioning itself to play a leading role in supplying the critical minerals required for the global energy transition.
