THE continued favourable copper price on the global market and opening of new mines are likely to boost gross production to almost 900,000 tonnes this year, a senior Government official says.
Currently, Zambia produces an average of 870,000 tonnes per annum.
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said with all factors remaining constant without any major global changes, by 2020 Zambia will produce one million tonnes of copper.
In an interview recently, Mr Chanda said NFCA Africa Mining Plc in Chambishi has expanded its mine (South-east ore body), which will increase production from about 15,000 tonnes yearly to about 30,000 tonnes annually, while Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has been expanding in Kitwe and Mufulira.