Zambia miners eye election with hopes for support for copper expansion

Zambia’s mining industry is looking to next week’s elections for policy support to expand copper output—an effort aimed at tripling production to 3 million metric tons annually. Firms say they need stronger incentives for mineral processing, renewed exploration, and major power-generation investment to meet growing demand driven by EVs, power networks and construction. Copper futures have jumped more than 40% over the past year to around $14,000 a ton. Metalex Commodities CEO Ayo Sopitan urged better rule of law and dispute resolution, while Zambia’s export duties on concentrates continue to burden producers lacking refining capacity.