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The Zambian mining landscape faced a complex opening to the year as overall copper production registered a 4.27% decline during the first quarter of 2026. According to data released by Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe, total output for the period ending in March reached 208,992 metric tonnes, compared to the 218,308 metric tonnes recorded during the same timeframe in 2025. This contraction, which accounts for the combined efforts of both large-scale industrial operations and small-scale miners, highlights the ongoing operational hurdles within the sector even as global demand for the red metal remains robust amidst the green energy transition.
Despite the dip in the national total, the performance of Zambia’s premier mining assets offered a significant silver lining for investors and policy makers alike. Output specifically from large-scale mines actually rose by 1.8% year-on-year, a testament to the resilience of the country’s most significant tier-one operations. Significant production gains were noted at the Lumwana Mine, Konkola Copper Mines, and Mopani Copper Mines, alongside several other key facilities. These incremental victories served to offset deeper production slides at other major sites, suggesting a widening performance gap between modernized, well-capitalised ventures and those struggling with legacy infrastructure or geological constraints.
The regional context remains equally volatile, as Zambia maintains its position as Africa’s second-largest copper producer behind the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While Zambia’s 4% decline is notable, it appears relatively contained when compared to the DRC, which saw its copper exports plummet by nearly 15% in the same quarter. However, the downturn was not limited to copper; the cobalt sector also felt the pinch, with first-quarter output falling by 9.15% year-on-year. This broader contraction in base metal volumes underscores the necessity for continued structural reforms and infrastructure investment to ensure Zambia can meet its ambitious long-term production targets.
Addressing the intricate balance between the growth of large-scale assets and the overall national decline, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe remained focused on the progress of the country’s industrial leaders. He emphasised the strategic importance of the gains made by the nation’s top-tier producers in stabilising the economy during a challenging quarter.
“Despite the decline in overall copper production, first-quarter output from large-scale mines rose 1.8% year-on-year. Production gains were recorded at Lumwana Mine, Konkola Copper Mines, Mopani Copper Mines and several other operations, offsetting declines at other major mines,” Kabuswe said.
