Overview of Extractive Industries

The Copperbelt has some of the largest copper and cobalt deposits in the world, and Zambia was among the top global copper producers in the 1970s. The mines were nationalised in the early 1970s and annual production levels began falling. Decades of underinvestment and ageing infrastructure steadily increased production costs beyond those of most global competitors, making the profitability of Zambian mines vulnerable to the international slump in base metal prices that began in the late 1990s. Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines - Zambia's two largest producers - began to undertake massive rehabilitation works in 2004 to increase their copper output, the results of which have started to come on stream.

Foreign investment in the sector has totalled around US$4bn since 2000 and the Government is continuing to award exploration licences. In addition, artisans have mined precious and semi-precious gems (emeralds, amethyst, aquamarine and tourmaline among others) for many years.

Status of EITI Implementation

Zambia is an EITI candidate country, and has until 14 May 2011 to complete the validation process. The Government has established a Zambia EITI Council representing 5 members of government, companies and civil society each. The council is chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury.  The inaugural meeting of the Council was held in February 2009.

Governance of EITI Implementation

Mr Likolo Ndalamei, the Secretary to the Treasury.

Likolo [dot] Ndalamei [at] mofnp [dot] gov [dot] zm, +260 211 253 512 or +260 979 169 020.

Zambia EITI National Coordinator

National Coordinator:
Mr Sakwiba Lubasi
Director Human Resources and Administration, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development
E-mail: lubasi01 [at] hotmail [dot] com

All enquiries can be directed to Mrs Bernadette Mwakacheya, Economist at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development. E-mail: bmwakacheya [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk

Companies operating*

Mining companies: First Quantum Minerals, Glencore international, Metorex Ltd.,  China Non Ferrous Metals Corporation, Equinox Minerals, Vedanta (India), Albidon, Enya Holdings, African Energy Resources

* EITI supporting company

* Note: Company list based on EITI research and is not conclusive

For further information, please contact Eddie Rich at the EITI International Secretariat.