Zambia’s mining regulator on Friday suspended operations at Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira mine after the company failed to account for all workers underground.
According to Reuters, the Minerals Regulation Commission said in a statement that the decision followed recent accidents at Mopani’s operations.
The commission noted that the Mufulira mine did not comply with regulations requiring management to maintain a system capable of accounting for every person working underground at any given time.
“Operations will remain suspended until the mine rectifies all deficiencies identified in its personnel accounting system,” the commission said.
The regulator added that it will carry out a comprehensive audit of all Mopani assets, including the larger Nkana mine. Mopani Copper Mines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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The company is among the largest copper producers in Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, and supplies a metal that is critical for clean energy technologies.
In 2024, the United Arab Emirates’ International Resources Holding (IRH) acquired a 51% stake in Mopani in a $1.1 billion deal, while Zambia’s state-owned mining firm ZCCM Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) retained the remaining shares.
IRH has announced plans to invest $300 million to increase Mopani’s annual copper production to about 200,000 metric tons, up from the current output of around 70,000 metric tons.
Zambia produced 820,670 metric tons of copper in 2025, compared with 732,580 metric tons the previous year. The southern African nation is aiming to raise its copper output to 3 million metric tons per year by 2031.
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Image Credit: Mining Weekly
