Zambia’s mining sector is mostly driven by […]

Zambia’s mining sector is mostly driven by the production and exports of copper and currently mining stands as the country’s major sector brings in huge Forex into the country.

According to the recently issued government report for the month of April 2026, a total of K192.9 million worth of copper concentrate sulphide was exported to Switzerland accounting for 6.9% out of the total export of K2.8 million in terms of products exported to Switzerland.

A further check by Zambian Business Times-ZBT revealed that copper prices on the London Metal Exchange increased to about $14 thousands, giving an advantage for the country to increase its export earnings from copper exports.

However, Mines expert Charles Mulila has noted the need to critically monitor the exports of copper as sometimes when exports are made on the international market like in the cases of Switzerland, may not reach the destined location or country.

“Sometimes when minerals are exported it is very ideal to follow up, because in most cases these exports may not even reach the destined location and at the end of the day profits will be recorded by Switzerland when initially it was exported to another country”, said Mulila.

He added the bulk of copper is mostly exported to countries that are more involved in energy transitions and digital transformation. “ We need to make serious followups because Switzerland doesn’t need bulk copper concentrate, what they need is just a little bit for copper ingots bracelet, because bulk copper goes to countries that are involved in energy transitions and digital transformation,” said Mulila.

 He mentioned that copper exports need to be traced to understand where the exports end up and ensure that the country has a record of the final destination of the minerals exported.

“ We have to be tracking the actual final destination of copper being exported out the country, because countries that normally import bulk copper are those that manufacture military products and many others finished products so critical monitoring should be enhanced to ensure that there are no illicit financial flows in the export of minerals,” said Mulila

Article by Justine Phiri