The government of Zambia has extended the suspension of a 10% export duty on copper concentrate until September 30, in a move aimed at clearing rising stockpiles of unprocessed material.
The decision comes as major smelters across the country undergo extended maintenance and repair works that have constrained processing capacity and slowed output in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
Zambia primarily exports copper in refined cathode form rather than as concentrate. The country exported 890,346 metric tons of copper in 2025 and has set an ambitious target of increasing annual production to 3 million tons by 2031.
The suspension, first introduced in August 2025, now covers 271,742 metric tons of copper concentrate, according to a government notice.
Several major mining companies operating in the country have been allocated duty-free export quotas under the arrangement.
Mopani Copper Mines has the largest quota at 100,000 metric tons. The firm is jointly owned by International Resources Holding and the state-owned ZCCM-IH.
Barrick Mining Corporation’s Lumwana Mining Company has been assigned a quota of 56,986 metric tons.
Other key operators, including First Quantum Minerals and the Chinese-owned Nkana Mining and Minerals Processing, each hold quotas of around 43,000 metric tons.
Lubambe Copper Mine, which is 70% owned by China’s JCHX Mining, has been allocated a 15,000-ton quota.
Meanwhile, Vedanta Resources’s Konkola Copper Mines has received a quota of 12,541 metric tons.
The policy adjustment reflects ongoing operational challenges within Zambia’s mining sector, particularly at smelting facilities affected by technical disruptions and maintenance shutdowns.
Industry analysts say the temporary duty suspension is intended to ease logistical pressure, prevent bottlenecks in copper exports, and stabilize production flows while repair works continue.
The government has reiterated its long-term goal of expanding national copper output, positioning the sector as a key driver of economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.
