Zambia’s Mining Regulator Lifts Suspension on Mopani Copper Mine Operations

Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira underground operations in Zambia can resume immediately after the company implemented new safety measures, including worker tracking technology and CCTV monitoring. The mine had been suspended for failing to comply with safety regulations. Mopani, partly owned by UAE-based International Resources Holding and Zambia’s ZCCM Investments Holdings, is one of the country’s largest copper producers. Zambia produced 890,000 metric tons of copper last year and aims for 3 million tons annually by 2031.

Underground operations at Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira mine in Zambia could resume immediately, the country’s mining regulator announced on Monday, following the implementation of new and enhanced safety measures aimed at ensuring the wellbeing of all workers. This announcement comes after the Minerals Regulation Commission had suspended operations at the mine the previous week due to the company’s failure to comply with established safety regulations. Specifically, the mine had not maintained an accurate system to account for all underground workers, a critical requirement designed to protect miners in case of emergencies and to ensure accountability at all times.
Mopani Copper Mines is one of the largest copper producers in Zambia, a country that ranks as the second-largest producer of copper in Africa. The metal is considered vital for the development of clean energy technologies, including renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicles, making Zambia’s copper production strategically important both regionally and globally.
In its statement on Monday, the Minerals Regulation Commission detailed the specific safety improvements that Mopani Copper Mines had implemented. Among these measures, the company has introduced technology that allows officials to verify that the mine has been fully cleared two hours after the end of each work shift, ensuring that no worker remains underground unnoticed. In addition, the mine has installed a closed-circuit television system throughout the underground areas to monitor activity in real time, allowing for immediate responses to any safety concerns.
“These measures meet the requirements of Mining Regulation 218 and are designed to ensure a safe and secure working environment for miners,” the regulator stated, emphasizing that the company has now complied with the necessary safety standards to resume operations. Despite the announcement, a spokesperson for Mopani Copper Mines was not immediately available to provide further comment or details about how these safety measures would be maintained going forward.
In terms of corporate ownership, United Arab Emirates-based International Resources Holding acquired a 51% stake in Mopani Copper Mines in 2024 through a deal valued at $1.1 billion. The remaining shares are held by Zambia’s state mining company, ZCCM Investments Holdings, reflecting a public-private partnership in one of the country’s most important industrial sectors.
Zambia produced approximately 890,000 metric tons of copper last year and has ambitious plans to significantly increase production, targeting an annual output of 3 million metric tons by 2031. This expansion aligns with the country’s broader economic goals to strengthen its mining sector, attract investment, and solidify its position as a key player in the global copper market.