PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has doubled down on his ambitious goal for Zambia to produce 3 million tonnes of copper annually, saying with mines like Kansanshi expanding and others being revived, the target is no longer a fantasy.
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Speaking at the commissioning of the US$1.2 billion S3 project, the President said that critics once mocked the projection, but it is now within reach with a focused approach and investor-friendly environment.
“When I first said we could hit 3 million tonnes, even some of my friends said, ‘HH, you’re dreaming.’ But look at this, if just ten mines produced half a million tonnes each, we would be at 5 million,” President Hichilema said.
The President explained that through improved investment policies and government support, key mines like Mopani, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Lumwana, and the new Mingomba project are positioned to deliver significant output increases.
The Head of State further said the growth of the mining sector is crucial not only for export earnings but also for domestic job creation and the development of related industries such as transport, energy and manufacturing.
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 20, 2025
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