Zambia Copper production increases
By Masauso Mkwayaya
Finance and National Planning Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE says Zambia has increased copper production to more than 346,000 metric tonnes in the first half of 2024 from 326,000 in the same period last year.
Dr. MUSOKOTWANE attributes the turnaround to government interventions, including the resolution of legal complications at Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- on the Copperbelt.
Presenting the proposed 2025 National Budget in the National Assembly in Lusaka, Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said the positive production trajectory is the beginning of Zambia’s journey to reach THREE million metric tonnes of copper production by 2031.
He said to further stimulate growth in the sector, government has increased funding for geological and geophysical mapping to 364 million Kwacha, up from 160 million.
In the agriculture sector, Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said Zambia will NOT abandon the Farmer Input Support Programme -FISP.
He explained that FISP will be expanded and fully transition to the e-voucher system next year to eliminate ghost farmers and improve transparency and efficiency.
The Programme has been allocated 9.3 billion Kwacha, aimed at benefiting ONE million farmers.
Dr. MUSOKOTWANE added that government has increased the allocation for strategic food reserves to 2.4 billion Kwacha from 1.7 billion in 2024.
He also said government continues to develop farming blocks like Nansanga, where 50 kilometers of roads have been constructed, and Luena, which has received 30 kilometers.
Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said that Luena is already productive, with 275 hectares of avocado, set to be harvested next month.
He further stated that government has commenced constructing a vaccine plant at the Central Veterinary Institute to produce livestock vaccines locally.
In the energy sector, Dr. MUSOKOTWANE announced that an additional 300 megawatts of electricity will be added at Maamba Energy in 2025.
Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said Maamba will then produce 600 megawatts, helping to alleviate the electricity deficit.
He said Zesco is also developing solar projects that will bring approximately 250 megawatts of solar energy from various regions of the country.
The Finance Minister stated that the Rural Electrification Authority will complete 15 new solar energy plants this year, resulting in 3421 connections.
