Mopani Copper Mines : Unearthing Zambian Prosperity

REVIVAL AND PROGRESS

The ongoing revival of Mopani has also been integral for the nation’s prosperity and identified as a contributing factor in Zambia’s GDP growth over the last two years.

These impressive gains have been underpinned by the substantial investment from IRH since 2024, including USD$620 million in equity capital and USD$400 million funding to complete the expansion projects.

Further expansion is planned, with Mopani targeting greater copper output by the end of the decade.

Meanwhile, the company’s new airborne geophysical survey is underway to identify additional reserves that could extend the life of mine further.

This is a proud moment for IRH as it partners with ZCCM-IH in Mopani in a long-term investment in this mining project.

“Together, this partnership is creating jobs, building capacity, and supporting Zambia’s position in the global energy transition,” Sakanya highlights.

As global copper demand grows in line with the acceleration of the green energy transition, the new investment in Mopani means the mine will now secure its position at the forefront of enabling this change.

“This is the kind of impact we strive for as part of our international growth strategy.”

Sakanya describes the turnaround as evidence of a shared commitment to performance and partnership.

“The progress we have made over the past two years is the result of clear vision and close collaboration. With IRH’s support, we’ve modernised our operations, digitised our mines, and built momentum. The next phase will be even more exciting – for Mopani, our people, and Zambia,” he continues.

Across all operations, it now employs over 13,000 people, having created more than 2,300 new roles since 2024.

The company’s vendor strategy has also prioritised local value, with 90 percent of procurement spend in 2025 so far awarded to Zambian businesses – an investment worth USD$436 million.

This is in addition to Mopani’s health and education initiatives, including a USD$14.8 million investment in hospital upgrades that are also underway.

Conclusively, Mopani’s digitisation programme has made it one of the most technologically advanced mines in the region, with real-time monitoring systems, AI-supported grade control, and predictive maintenance infrastructure – which has increased the mine’s operating efficiency and safety performance whilst also reducing costs.

“In addition, Mopani’s Wi-Fi infrastructure now reaches 2 km underground.”

Overall, the Mopani investment forms part of IRH’s broader strategy to develop long-term resource partnerships across Africa, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, localisation, and industrial development.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s growing investment footprint on the continent and reflects a strong commitment to responsible international growth.

PREPARING FOR ADVERSITY

As Mopani navigates into an exciting future, across 2026 and beyond, it faces a spectrum of challenges and new opportunities which will prove critical for the continued prosperity of both Zambia’s mining sector and the company’s own fortunes.

Firstly, there’s the issue of price volatility, encompassing fluctuations in global copper prices and accounting for the changing of geopolitical landscapes – this demands a diversified business model and the preparation needed to be able to seamlessly react to such a fast-changing economic environment.

Meanwhile, the question of resource access remains paramount to Mopani’s future planning. Deeper and more complex ore bodies require advanced engineering, investment in new technologies, and robust training for its workers.

Regulatory pressures are an ever-present challenge to contend with as evolving global environmental standards are raising the bar for compliance, traceability, and emissions reduction – making it critical for Mopani to further invest in sustainability practices and environmentally friendly contingency planning across every facet of its operations.

Parallel to this is the question of energy supply – reliable energy remains a limiting aspect for many mining operations.

However, smart investments in green energy could insulate Mopani against future price spikes and outages, an avenue that must be explored in order to futureproof the prosperity of the company.

Lastly, the topic of digital transformation must be carefully planned for and addressed.

Wide-scale digitisation opens up new frontiers for mining efficiency, operational oversight, and boosting stakeholder confidence.

Opportunities abound in leveraging this range of trends and, with the correct planning and strategy, Mopani remains poised to lead Zambia into a sustainable, technologically advanced mining era through 2026 and beyond.

A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL

Looking back at the transformative investment led by IRH, it is clear to see that this ongoing partnership has helped deliver a strong revival at Mopani, securing its position as one of Africa’s most strategically important copper assets.

Less than two years after IRH became Mopani’s majority shareholder, production is increasing, countless jobs have been created, and long-term expansion plans are well underway.

“As such, positive operational updates, which are regularly presented to suppliers and community leaders in Kitwe and Mufulira, reveal increases in ore production, alongside a steady rise in copper grades and a boost in contained copper output,” Sakanya sets out.

As a pillar of Zambia’s Copperbelt, Mopani stands proudly amongst the most significant players in the entire industry, substantially contributing to national economic growth, community development, and global copper supply.

Navigating complex challenges and innovating with technologies such as AI, blockchain, and satellite monitoring, Mopani is not only adapting to a more sustainable, digital future, but also supporting Zambia’s ambitions to become an industrially diversified country on the world stage.

Mopani’s comprehensive approach across every minute detail of its operations – from deep-level underground operations, vertical integration, and responsible export practices to its community-first programmes and sustainable initiatives, positions the company to remain at the forefront of mining innovation in Africa and globally through 2026 and into a bright future.

“Furthermore, by embracing environmental stewardship, boosting local employment, and investing continually in a range of smart, data-driven solutions, Mopani exemplifies a truly resilient copper mining sector,” Sakanya declares resolutely.

“We are powering a brighter, more inclusive Zambian economy for all,” he concludes with pride.

MOPANI COPPER MINES PARTNERS