Copper production drops 35% for Small-Scale local miners despite prices exceeding $14,000 per tonne

Copper production for small-scale miners, who are mostly locally owned Zambian companies, dropped by a significant 35 percent in the first half of 2026. Government officials have confirmed this sharp decrease, which contrasts with the performance of largescale mining firms.

According to the officials whose names have been withheld, large-scale mining companies recorded over 420,000 metric tonnes of copper from January to June 2026.

This is a 4 percent increase from 404,000 metric tonnes in the same period in 2025, contributing about 93 percent to Zambia’s total copper production of 447,181 metric tonnes in the first half of the year.

In contrast, small-scale miners contributed only about 6 percent to national copper production, producing approximately 27,000 metric tonnes, a 35 percent decrease from over 41,000 tonnes produced in the same period in 2025.

The decline is particularly concerning given that global copper prices have surpassed $14,000 per tonne, presenting a missed opportunity for smallscale miners to benefit from favorable market conditions.

This trend not only impacts the livelihoods of local mine owners but also raises questions about the sustainability and competitiveness of small-scale mining within Zambia’s broader mining sector.

Article by Tyndale Muchiya