Mopani Copper Mines : Unearthing Zambian Prosperity

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

When it comes to preparing new recruits, the Mufulira Central Training Centre (MCTC) is a state-of-the-art, world-class training facility and one of the best mining-orientated training facilities in Zambia and beyond.

The impressive facility offers both long and short-term courses in engineering, metallurgy, and mining.

Opened in 2013, the MCTC is located in the historic mining town of Mufulira in Northern Zambia.

This game-changing training facility is one of the best mining-orientated centres in the world and the first of its kind in Central Africa, accommodating up to 800 students (300 boarders and 500 day scholars) at any one time.

“Our training centre has both full-scale underground and surface simulations so that all theoretical courses are also seen and experienced in practice on-site,” Sakanya shares.

The MCTC has continued churning out mining industry-orientated graduates, thereby attracting students from across the sub-region and as far as Liberia, DRC, and Botswana.

It is fully accredited by the Zambian government’s Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) – a leading institution in technical and vocational training for developing Zambia and the world at large.

“To date, thousands of Mopani employees have already benefitted from the training courses offered at the MCTC. With this experience, and the achievements gained, the centre has grown and now offers internationally recognised courses to other industries,” he details.

The site adheres to a bold mission statement – to deliver excellence through the competency-based production and application of contemporary skill-based knowledge – and an ethos that inspires industry both today and tomorrow.

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

Alongside the goal of conquering together with its people, Mopani wants to maintain its enviable position as a proud Zambian employer of choice.

“Whilst the company’s success will naturally create more jobs, in order to truly attract and retain talent, a focus is needed on how Mopani models itself as an employer,” Sakanya tells us.

“We want to make our business the best possible choice for employees – a company that is safe, stable, and profitable,” he adds.

For Sakanya, this begins with forging a deep trust within his teams by fostering interpersonal relationships amongst staff members, building a family feel within the culture, and staying true to the mantra of TukaChimfya Pamo.

“All Mopani employees are made to feel seen and empowered through rewards for performance and regular recognition of their achievements.

“We show them how they contribute to the broader supply chain and ensure they are deeply involved in making the decisions that affect their own work,” Sakanya adds.

In this way, employee suggestions are analysed and implemented to contribute to safety, asset management, and increased production across the organisation.

STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY

High on the agenda for Mopani is to remain a good corporate citizen, striving to be a pillar of the local community and set the highest possible standards regarding its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The company remains committed to supporting the socioeconomic development of its host communities through robust CSR programmes.

“Mopani supports the development of sports, local enterprises, education, health, and basic infrastructure, as well as water and sanitation, in the communities of Kitwe and Mufulira,” Sakanya affirms.

“Our commitment to promoting the well-being of the surrounding community is also witnessed through our emergency response and environmental management programmes.”

The company is passionate when it comes to promoting local content, creating foundations that are strong enough for the life of mine, and sharing success collectively for all Zambians.

“Ultimately, we want to take the communities with us on our upwards trajectory and growth path,” he states.

Mopani also supports a range of smallholder projects encompassing farming and education and is actively involved in local economic development that impacts small-scale operators in the Copperbelt region.

Zambian smallholders face risks from climate shocks such as droughts, which have reduced agricultural growth, and are now being supported through initiatives to improve resilience.

EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY

As one of its key priorities and major passions, Mopani continues to provide high-quality education.

The company runs a total of four schools – two primary and two secondary – in Kitwe and Mufulira.

Since 2008, they have recorded a 100 percent pass rate in all national examinations for Grades 7, 9, and 12, making them some of the most highly sought-after schools in the two areas.

“Running these schools is key to our dedication to community service and remains vital for equipping the next generation with the necessary skills to thrive,” he emphasises.

At its academy, Mopani trains a multitude of important trades, including electrical, mechanical, plumbing, brickmaking, instrumentation, boiler making, machining, and heavy duty repairs.

“A total of USD$20 million was spent in 2013 to set up the MCTC. The progress has been incredible to witness. A contractor academy is housed at the same facility,” he expands.

Furthermore, the Zambian government is empowering Mopani to train more people through the Constituency Development Fund, a government initiative for decentralised local development that supports projects like schools, clinics, and infrastructure.

Everyone benefits from this circular process as Mopani develops its teams whilst also laying the educational foundations for future generations in the region.

THE POWER OF SPORT

As well as its work in the realm of education, Mopani recognises that sport possesses a unique ability to bring people together and unite communities from all walks of life – a powerful tool that the company has utilised within its CSR work.

The business currently supports over 10 different sports clubs in Kitwe and Mufulira across a multitude of disciplines, such as football, golf, tennis, swimming, squash, and rugby.

Of the clubs supported by Mopani, Nkana Football Club, Nkana Golf Club, and Mufulira Tennis Club have, in recent years, set up junior academies to tap into and nurture tender-age talent from the communities in both Mufulira and Kitwe.

“We are big supporters of all things sport – Nkana Golf Club is one of the best courses in Zambia and is currently the proud host of the Mopani Zambia Open Golf Tournament,” Sakanya acclaims.

The club has a proud reputation of providing members and visitors with friendly hospitality and a truly Zambian experience, welcoming visitors with open arms to sample the scenic exquisiteness created by nature.

Situated in the midst of the iconic Copperbelt region, the facility features breathtaking vegetation and water features, making it a respectable championship golf course and a challenge for both professional and amateur golfers.

Elsewhere, Mopani also remains the primary sponsor and proud owner of the Zambian Super League sides, Nkana and Mufulira Wanderers Football Clubs.

Despite facing financial constraints in 2020 that led to a reduction in funding, the company has remained committed to supporting the clubs, with senior officials frequently addressing the team to ensure stability and performance.

“In particular, we are challenging our supporters to help us grow the fanbase. Our target is to recruit at least 300,000 committed new supporters by March 2026, with whom we aim to drive the clubs to greater heights,” Sakanya passionately informs us.

BACK FROM THE BRINK

When asked what makes him most proud in relation to the company, Sakanya points to the qualities of resilience and togetherness that define Mopani to this day.

“I’ve seen the business on its knees in 2020 when the previous shareholder left and I was tasked with overseeing the closure.

“We sat as a management team and knew that it didn’t make sense to be given a mandate to close. Why can’t we find a way to keep going until an investor and equity partner comes through?” he asks.

At that time, it was envisaged that this process would potentially take a year, but after this time, the company had only managed to transfer the ownership from one shareholder to another.

“We then thought it would take another six to 12 months to conclude – however, it eventually took a total of four years.

“In those four years, we didn’t have any funding. We had to sit patiently and come up with initiatives to increase value and production and lower costs – we somehow managed to survive with help from ZCCM-IH,” he continues.

Under normal circumstances, the mine should have been shut down. Along the way, the company utilised a USD$100 million loan from ZCCM-IH to support operations.

“We look back now and ask ourselves; how did we do it? I think the answer to that is teamwork. Everybody was pulling together in the same direction, and we had one vision – to not shut down until an equity partner was found for this place.”

By remaining true to a collective shared vision, the company came back from the brink, stronger than ever before, and can draw valuable lessons from this period of adversity.

“To this day, that tricky stretch of time and how we stuck together is something we are really proud of as a team at Mopani.

“Everybody at the company understands what resilience is. It’s a word that resonates across the entire business and perfectly illustrates how when a group of people are determined to achieve something despite the challenges, they can do it,” he smiles.

Sakanya himself is keen to point out that despite securing a new equity partner and coming back from the brink, it still has a long way to go on its overall journey.

“I sometimes sense that people think they can relax now, thinking we’ve made it, when all we’ve done is survive. This is no time to be complacent – we now need to work hard to get to the finishing line.

“When we start producing 8.5 million tpa and meeting the targets of our new vision, then we can say we have arrived. But even then, there is always room to improve and grow,” he implores.