Mopani Copper Mines PLC has announced plans to scale up its localised Supplier Development Programme (SDP) and onboard 60 new local companies as part of its commitment to strengthening local participation across the mining value chain.
Mopani Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Sakanya, announced the development during the closing ceremony of the second cohort of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-funded SDP Accreditation Training for local consultants held at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe on Thursday, 23rd July 2026.
Mr. Sakanya said Mopani had fully adopted the UNDP methodology and integrated it into the company’s operations. “Mopani Copper Mines PLC is proud to be part of this project as the main anchor company in the mining sector. I am happy to report that we have fully adopted the UNDP-SDP methodology and integrated it into our operations,” he said.
The Mopani partnership with UNDP started in 2023 when the two institutions established a localised SDP for Mopani suppliers, which led to Mopani’s onboarding the first cohort of 15 local companies in 2025. The 15 companies comprised 10 women-led businesses and five artisanal and small-scale miners.
“Between January and June 2026, we have provided opportunities for the 15 SDP beneficiaries to participate in tenders, with successful orders worth more than ZMW 20 million issued,” he said.
He disclosed that Mopani has also supported artisanal and small-scale miners with resources to facilitate access-road construction and fulfilment of mining orders.
“We implemented a deliberate 70 percent price increase for our silica miners. Due to increased orders, there has been a 35 percent improvement in productivity accompanied by job creation across the pilot companies. A perfect example is Zimba Women Mining in Mufulira, which had 400 employees but after our support has now created a further 355 new jobs in the area,” Mr. Sakanya said.
Speaking at the same event, UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia, Dr. James Wakiaga, commended Mopani for demonstrating leadership in responsible and inclusive business development.
“I would like to thank Mopani for creating businesse opportunities for local vendors and demonstrating what responsible and inclusive partnership and leadership look like,” Dr. Wakiaga said.
“The launch of the inaugural Women in Mining cohort to encourage women participation in the mining value chain sends a very powerful message that the future of mining must be inclusive and that women have a rightful place across the mining value chain.”
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, who was represented by Geological Survey Department Director, Mr. Gerald Mwila, underscored the importance of Statutory Instrument No. 68 in advancing local content within the mining industry.
Dr. Kabeta said: “The statutory instrument will create greater opportunities for Zambian-owned businesses, suppliers and professionals as the country ramps up copper production towards our national target of three million tonnes annually by 2031.”
The UNDP-funded SDP is being implemented in partnership with Mopani Copper Mines PLC as the anchor company for the mining sector, Shoprite Zambia for the agricultural supply sector, and the Copperbelt University as the Programme’s knowledge and research partner.
