Zambia: Hichilema seeks to free inactive mining licenses to accelerate production

Zambia intends to accelerate development of its mineral resources and make better use of licenses already granted. President Hakainde Hichilema warned companies holding permits for speculative purposes, defending the “use it or lose it” principle: a license must lead to activity, otherwise the state could review or revoke it.

This position was expressed on October 20 at Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka 2026 in Lusaka. It forms part of a broader goal: increasing national copper production to three million tonnes annually. For the president, this requires both developing existing mines and extending exploration to every province. The proposed rule therefore aims to turn dormant mining rights into practical projects, investment and production.

Existing projects to support the copper target

Hichilema cited the revival of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and the Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP) as central to the production trajectory. Stakeholders reportedly agreed on a contribution of 300,000 tonnes of copper annually from the mine. This represents a project target, rather than a volume already achieved.

The president also highlighted the $1.3 billion expansion of Kansanshi mine and activities at Lumwana. In his view, these investments can create opportunities for local businesses and young people in mining, manufacturing and supply chains. The reach of these benefits will depend on the share of contracts awarded to Zambian suppliers, their technical capabilities and lasting integration of local workers.

Another project cited was Kitumba in Mumbwa district. The deposit reportedly moved forward after several years of litigation. Its case illustrates the economic cost of legal delays and the possibility that resolving disputes can revive projects, provided permits, financing and infrastructure subsequently follow.

Reducing exploration risk

To attract new investors, Lusaka has committed nearly $100 million to a national high-resolution geophysical mapping campaign. It covers the country’s 752,000 square kilometers, according to figures provided by the president. Better geological data can reduce uncertainty in early exploration and help companies target their spending.

However, mapping guarantees neither an economically viable discovery nor the opening of a mine. Results must be interpreted, confirmed through fieldwork and assessed against extraction costs, infrastructure and market conditions. Its value will be in making subsurface information more accessible and reducing the share of geological risk borne by investors.

Licensing policy must likewise reconcile two objectives: preventing speculative permit retention and preserving the legal certainty needed for long-term projects. A “use it or lose it” rule requires transparent criteria on work obligations, deadlines, reasons for suspension and appeal options. Without a predictable framework, the threat of revocation could deter companies preparing studies or facing financing difficulties; applied clearly, it can instead redirect rights toward operators ready to invest.

Energy and infrastructure as conditions for growth

Zambia’s debate extends beyond licenses. Hichilema stressed access to reliable electricity, domestic generation, transport infrastructure and opening up the energy market. These conditions influence both deep mining and mineral processing. Higher copper production requires more energy; adding smelters or downstream industries increases this demand further.

The president called for closer cooperation between Zambia, the DRC and Botswana to establish cross-border projects and align standards in critical minerals and energy. Congolese Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba advocated complementary investment between the two countries rather than competition that would sacrifice economies of scale. He mentioned a potential battery and electric vehicle value chain connecting Musompo to Ndola, alongside the need for railways to reduce road congestion at border crossings, particularly Kasumbalesa.

This regional vision still needs to become financed projects, timetables and common rules. Mining value chains require electricity grids, roads or railways and reliable procedures to move minerals and processed products. Cooperation can broaden markets and distribute investment, but requires coordination among governments, companies and regulators.

Value added as a measure of success

Botswana’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, called on African countries to move beyond raw mineral exports and invest in processing, manufacturing and technology. For Botswana, whose economy has long relied on diamonds, diversification into copper, base metals and critical minerals forms part of a broader regional cooperation strategy.

Congolese Minister Louis Watum Kabamba also proposed judging mining success by jobs, infrastructure and skills created in local economies, rather than production or export volumes alone. This approach reflects the challenge of Zambia’s licensing policy: permits must serve real activity, and that activity must then generate benefits extending beyond the mine.

Zambia therefore has several measures available—copper projects, mapping, licensing reform and energy cooperation. Their consistency will determine whether the three-million-tonne ambition becomes a feasible program. Points to monitor include formalization of revocation rules, progress at KCM and Kansanshi, electricity capacity and execution of regional projects. “Use it or lose it” will have a lasting effect only if accompanied by stable rules, available infrastructure and markets for local processing.