MOPANI COPPER MINES: From Recovery to Leadership in Africa’s Copper Industry

Few commodities are as closely tied to Africa’s economic future and the global energy transition as copper. As electrification accelerates, demand for the red metal is reshaping investment priorities, supply chains and national development strategies. In Zambia, one of the world’s most established copper producers, Mopani Copper Mines has emerged as a powerful case study in how strategic investment, operational discipline and community engagement can revive a major industrial asset and position it as a leader in Africa’s critical minerals landscape. 

Mopani Copper Mines is one of Zambia’s largest integrated copper producers, operating underground mines, concentrators and a smelter in the Copperbelt. With a long operational history stretching back decades, Mopani has played a central role in the country’s mining economy, employing thousands of Zambians and supporting entire communities built around mining activity. Like many mature mining operations, however, Mopani faced mounting challenges in recent years, including declining production, constrained capital investment and rising operational complexity. 

That trajectory changed in 2024, when Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding acquired a majority stake in Mopani in partnership with Zambia’s state-owned ZCCM Investment Holdings. The transaction marked one of the most significant foreign direct investments in Zambia’s mining sector in recent years and signalled renewed confidence in the long-term value of African copper. Under IRH’s ownership, Mopani has embarked on an ambitious turnaround and expansion programme that is already delivering tangible results for production, employment and the surrounding community. 

COPPER CONTEXT 

The timing of Mopani’s revival could not be more significant. Global copper demand is forecast to rise sharply as electrification gathers pace across transport, power generation and industrial systems. Independent industry analysts estimate that demand could increase by around 70% by 2050, driven by renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles and grid expansion. This surge presents both an opportunity and a challenge, with supply growth struggling to keep pace and high-quality, scalable assets becoming increasingly valuable.

Africa, and Zambia in particular, sits at the centre of this equation. The Copperbelt remains one of the world’s richest copper provinces, yet unlocking its full potential requires sustained capital, modernised operations and a strong social licence to operate. For IRH, Mopani represents a long-term strategic investment aligned with global decarbonisation goals and regional development priorities. 

Ali AlRashdi, Chief Executive Officer of International Resources Holding, has been clear about the broader significance of the investment. “This is a proud moment for IRH and for the UAE,” he said. “Our partnership with ZCCM-IH in Mopani is a model for long-term, responsible investment. We are creating jobs, building capacity, and supporting Zambia’s position in the global energy transition.” 

He added that global copper demand is forecast to grow by around 70% to over fifty million tonnes a year by 2050 as the green energy transition accelerates. “Our investment in Mopani means the mine can be at the forefront of enabling this change. This is the kind of impact we strive for as part of our international growth strategy.” 

OPERATIONAL TURNAROUND 

Since the acquisition, the pace of change at Mopani has been striking. IRH moved quickly to stabilise operations, inject capital and implement a clear turnaround strategy focused on productivity, safety and digital transformation. Within months, performance indicators began to improve, restoring confidence among employees, suppliers and stakeholders across the Copperbelt. 

Ravi Sharma, Chief Operating Officer of International Resources Holding and Chairman of Mopani Copper Mines, described the scale of the opportunity uncovered during the initial review phase. “Over the past six months, our analysis has revealed the potential to scale production to 500,000 tonnes of cathode and 28.5 million tonnes of ore,” he said. “The economic impact—in terms of job creation and investment—speaks for itself.” 

Crucially, the turnaround has been built around people as much as production targets. Mopani has retained 99.2% of its workforce as Zambian nationals, supported by a small group of expatriate specialists brought in to strengthen operational turnaround skills. This approach has ensured continuity, preserved institutional knowledge and reinforced the company’s commitment to local capacity building. 

“The progress we have made over the past year is the result of sharp vision and close collaboration,” Sharma said. “We have modernised our operations, digitised our mines, and built momentum to turnaround the operations.” 

At the operational level, investments in digital systems and connectivity are transforming how Mopani’s underground mines function. The deployment of optic fibre Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless radio communication and AI-based systems at the South Ore Body underground mine has effectively connected underground operations to the surface in real time, improving decision-making, safety monitoring and productivity. 

SHARED MOMENTUM 

For Mopani’s management team, the turnaround is as much about rebuilding trust and momentum as it is about production growth. Charles Sakanya, Chief Executive Officer of Mopani Copper Mines, has consistently framed the company’s progress as a shared achievement between shareholders, employees and the wider Zambian economy. 

The results, he says, speak to the strength of the partnership between IRH and ZCCM-IH and the renewed sense of purpose across the business. “The next phase will be even more exciting — for Mopani, for our people, and for Zambia,” Sakanya said, pointing to expansion plans that will further strengthen Mopani’s contribution to national development. 

That sense of optimism is reflected across Mopani’s operations, where renewed investment has translated into improved morale and clearer long-term prospects. For a workforce that has weathered years of uncertainty, the turnaround represents not just a corporate recovery, but a reaffirmation of Mopani’s role as a cornerstone employer in the Copperbelt. 

Beyond production metrics, Mopani’s post-acquisition strategy places strong emphasis on employee wellbeing and operational sustainability. One of the most visible examples is the rollout of a new water purification system at its mining sites, designed to provide safe drinking water for employees, including those working underground. 

The system treats water from the main treatment plant before further purification, ensuring it meets stringent quality standards. Nkana Engineering Manager Marvin Mwansa explained the process at the system’s launch. “This water is treated firstly from our treatment plant, which is the main plant, then further treated and purified through the system itself,” he said. 

Extensive testing has been carried out through ISO-certified analytical laboratories and public health systems. “We have done adequate tests to the highest level to ensure the purity of this water. It’s good water, safe water. All the tests have passed the standards for drinking water,” Mwansa added. 

For employees, the investment represents a meaningful improvement in daily working conditions and a tangible sign that management is listening. Employee representative, Mr Nkandu, welcomed the initiative as long overdue. “From the employee side, we are so happy to have this system. We started advocating for such a facility some time back, should be in 2020,” he said. “Finally the system has been set up of which we are so happy as employees. It will benefit us as we go underground.” 

ZERO HARM 

Safety and health form the third pillar of Mopani’s transformation. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to Vision Zero, a philosophy that treats all workplace incidents, occupational illnesses and environmental harm as preventable.

“To us at Mopani, Vision Zero is not just a goal; it’s a commitment that defines how we work, how we make decisions, and how we engage with our stakeholders and the community at large,” Sakanya said. “We believe every workplace incident, occupational illness, and environmental harm is preventable — and this philosophy has driven our company’s safety initiatives and transformation programmes.” 

This commitment is being reinforced through technology, training and leadership accountability. Real-time connectivity underground, AI-based monitoring systems and improved communication infrastructure are helping to identify risks earlier and respond faster, while reinforcing a culture in which safety is embedded at every level of the organisation. 

Sakanya emphasised that Vision Zero is not an abstract ambition but a practical framework for sustainable mining. “Through our collective efforts, we can build a thriving and resilient mining industry where safety, health, and environmental sustainability are the norm — and Vision Zero is a reality,” he said. 

LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY  

As global demand for copper continues to rise, Mopani Copper Mines stands as an example of how African mining assets can be revitalised through patient capital, strong partnerships and a clear focus on people. The investment by IRH has not only stabilised and expanded a critical copper operation, but has also reinforced Mopani’s social licence through tangible improvements in safety, water access and workforce stability. 

For Zambia, the revival of Mopani strengthens the country’s position in global copper supply chains at a time when secure, responsible production is increasingly valued. For the Copperbelt communities that depend on the mine, the benefits are already visible in renewed employment confidence, improved working conditions and a clearer sense of long-term sustainability. 

In an industry often defined by cycles of boom and decline, Mopani’s turnaround underscores what is possible when operational excellence is matched with community investment and a long-term vision. As electrification accelerates worldwide, Mopani Copper Mines is once again firmly established as a leader in Africa’s copper industry, helping to power the energy transition while delivering lasting value at home.