Zambia Delays Copper Concentrate Export Duty to September Amid Smelter Maintenance and Stockpile Pressures
Zambia has extended the suspension of its 10% export duty on copper concentrates until September 30, in a move aimed at easing pressure on mining companies affected by rising stockpiles of unprocessed material.
The extension comes as several of the country’s major smelters undergo prolonged maintenance and repair work, temporarily reducing processing capacity and creating bottlenecks across the copper value chain.
The policy is designed to help miners manage excess concentrate inventories while ensuring continuity of exports during a period of constrained smelting operations.
Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, primarily exports refined copper cathodes, but recent operational disruptions have increased the reliance on concentrate shipments.
The suspension, originally introduced in August 2025, now applies to 271,742 tonnes of copper concentrate allocated under duty-free export quotas.
Among the affected mining companies, Mopani Copper Mines holds the largest quota at 100,000 tonnes.
Lumwana Mining Company follows with 56,986 tonnes, while First Quantum Minerals and Nkana Mining and Minerals Processing have been allocated approximately 43,000 tonnes each.
Lubambe Copper Mine has been granted a 15,000-tonne allocation, while Konkola Copper Mines has been assigned 12,541 tonnes under the exemption framework.
Government officials say the measure reflects a balancing act between maintaining fiscal policy stability and addressing operational challenges in the mining sector.
The extension is expected to provide temporary relief while smelter maintenance work is completed and processing capacity is restored.
Zambia continues to position copper as a strategic export commodity and has set an ambitious target to significantly increase national output in the coming years, supported by ongoing investment in mining and processing infrastructure.
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