MINING plays a critical role in Zambia’s economy, particularly in job creation and economic development.
Each mining job supports multiple indirect occupations in sectors like transport, retail, construction and hospitality.
Local businesses supplying equipment, food and services benefit from increased demand.
Mining companies invest in training programmes, equipping workers with modern skills in areas like AI-driven predictive maintenance and drone-based monitoring.
This enhances Zambia’s technical expertise, making it a hub for skilled professionals.
Mining wages contribute to higher consumer spending, benefiting local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Increased demand for housing, education and healthcare stimulates economic growth.
Furthermore, mining companies contribute taxes and royalties, funding infrastructure projects, schools and healthcare.
It is therefore estimable that since Government handed over 51 per cent of shares in Mopani Copper Mines to International Resources Holding (IRH) in March last year to boost mining operations, the company has engaged over 1,400 new employees.
According to chief executive officer Charles Sakanya, Mopani has made significant milestones in pushing for sustainable growth and operational excellence following its partnership with IRH.
This is crucial especially that major mines in the Copperbelt Province were becoming white elephants due to plummeted copper production and closures chiefly because of neglect by the previous administration.
Under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, investor confidence has been rekindled with investors coming to revamp production at Mopani and other major mines such as Konkola Copper Mines.
In particular, Mopani has seen significant growth following the investment by IRH, creating 1,402 jobs over the past year.
This expansion includes 1,354 general payroll and senior staff positions and 48 management-level roles, strengthening the workforce across mining, engineering, and information technology departments.
Beyond employment, IRH’s investment is transforming Mopani into a “mine of the future”, integrating advanced technologies like real-time location tracking.
These innovations are enhancing safety, productivity and sustainability while contributing to Zambia’s broader goal of reaching three million tonnes of annual copper production by 2030.
The job creation at Mopani has far-reaching economic benefits beyond just employment numbers.
With over 1,400 new jobs added, more households now have stable incomes, leading to increased consumer spending in local businesses.
The demand for goods and services – such as housing, transportation and retail – rises, stimulating SMEs in surrounding communities.
More workers mean greater investment in roads, schools and healthcare facilities to support the growing workforce.
Mining companies often contribute to community development projects, improving living standards in mining towns.
Also, more jobs mean higher tax contributions from employees and businesses, boosting government revenue for national development.
In addition, the job creation at Mopani has had a ripple effect on several local businesses, particularly those providing essential goods and services to the mining sector.
Local suppliers of machinery, spare parts and safety gear have seen increased demand while engineering firms specialising in maintenance and infrastructure development are securing more contracts.
Companies offering haulage services for copper and mining materials are expanding operations.
Local transport providers, including bus and taxi services, are benefiting from increased worker movement. In hospitality and cookery, restaurants, food suppliers and catering businesses are serving mineworkers and corporate events.
Accommodation providers, including lodges and guest houses, are seeing higher occupancy rates. Supermarkets and small retailers are also experiencing higher sales due to increased disposable income among employees.
In other words, Mopani’s expansion is not just about mining – it is fuelling economic growth across multiple sectors, strengthening Zambia’s business ecosystem.
Investments in mines now bearing fruits
MINING plays a critical role in Zambia’s economy, particularly in job creation and economic development.
Each mining job supports multiple indirect occupations in sectors like transport, retail, construction and hospitality.
Local businesses supplying equipment, food and services benefit from increased demand.
Mining companies invest in training programmes, equipping workers with modern skills in areas like AI-driven predictive maintenance and drone-based monitoring.
This enhances Zambia’s technical expertise, making it a hub for skilled professionals.
Mining wages contribute to higher consumer spending, benefiting local businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Increased demand for housing, education and healthcare stimulates economic growth.
Furthermore, mining companies contribute taxes and royalties, funding infrastructure projects, schools and healthcare.
It is therefore estimable that since Government handed over 51 per cent of shares in Mopani Copper Mines to International Resources Holding (IRH) in March last year to boost mining operations, the company has engaged over 1,400 new employees.
According to chief executive officer Charles Sakanya, Mopani has made significant milestones in pushing for sustainable growth and operational excellence following its partnership with IRH.
This is crucial especially that major mines in the Copperbelt Province were becoming white elephants due to plummeted copper production and closures chiefly because of neglect by the previous administration.
Under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, investor confidence has been rekindled with investors coming to revamp production at Mopani and other major mines such as Konkola Copper Mines.
In particular, Mopani has seen significant growth following the investment by IRH, creating 1,402 jobs over the past year.
This expansion includes 1,354 general payroll and senior staff positions and 48 management-level roles, strengthening the workforce across mining, engineering, and information technology departments.
Beyond employment, IRH’s investment is transforming Mopani into a “mine of the future”, integrating advanced technologies like real-time location tracking.
These innovations are enhancing safety, productivity and sustainability while contributing to Zambia’s broader goal of reaching three million tonnes of annual copper production by 2030.
The job creation at Mopani has far-reaching economic benefits beyond just employment numbers.
With over 1,400 new jobs added, more households now have stable incomes, leading to increased consumer spending in local businesses.
The demand for goods and services – such as housing, transportation and retail – rises, stimulating SMEs in surrounding communities.
More workers mean greater investment in roads, schools and healthcare facilities to support the growing workforce.
Mining companies often contribute to community development projects, improving living standards in mining towns.
Also, more jobs mean higher tax contributions from employees and businesses, boosting government revenue for national development.
In addition, the job creation at Mopani has had a ripple effect on several local businesses, particularly those providing essential goods and services to the mining sector.
Local suppliers of machinery, spare parts and safety gear have seen increased demand while engineering firms specialising in maintenance and infrastructure development are securing more contracts.
Companies offering haulage services for copper and mining materials are expanding operations.
Local transport providers, including bus and taxi services, are benefiting from increased worker movement. In hospitality and cookery, restaurants, food suppliers and catering businesses are serving mineworkers and corporate events.
Accommodation providers, including lodges and guest houses, are seeing higher occupancy rates. Supermarkets and small retailers are also experiencing higher sales due to increased disposable income among employees.
In other words, Mopani’s expansion is not just about mining – it is fuelling economic growth across multiple sectors, strengthening Zambia’s business ecosystem.