The vision is bold: three million tonnes of copper a year by 2032. But as Zambia’s mining sector races toward this target, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Country Director Anthony Mukutuma warns that ambition must be matched by strategy. At the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII) 2025, he called for a new era of mining — one built on sustainability, community engagement, and future-ready skills that can turn the copper boom into enduring prosperity.
The Insaka, held under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Wealth: Advancing Sustainable Mining, Beneficiation & Value Addition”, provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss the future of the nation’s pivotal sector.
“To produce about 3 million tonnes per year, considering the declining grades we now see from 2 percent-plus 10 or 20 years ago to around 0.4-0.5 percent today, you would need to mine approximately 815 million tonnes of ore annually,” said Mr Mukutuma.
He further elaborated on the vast infrastructure required: “You would need to be moving about 2.4 billion tonnes of waste, and the tailings dams would need to contain around 790 million tonnes of tailings. These would be massive structures, some 30 to 40 kilometres in circumference and 20 to 70 metres high.
“Such operations demand high capital intensity, an area where Western-facing companies face higher borrowing costs compared to their Eastern counterparts.
Local Content and Economic Participation
Despite the significant challenges posed by declining ore grades, Mr Mukutuma highlighted a substantial opportunity for Zambian businesses within the value chain, and that moving 2.4 billion tonnes of waste alone represents an estimated US$16 billion in business at nominal contractor rates.
He lauded government for signing the Statutory Instrument (SI) for local content, which has been developed in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.
“The document is solid, it is sound, and it is about time we put it out there so that the mining value chain can see much more participation of Zambian companies. This initiative, is key to ensuring that the benefits of mining permeate the wider economy,” he noted.
Sustainable Mining at the Core
Addressing the critical minerals strategy, Mr Mukutuma stressed the imperative of sustainable mining practices, adding that, for mining to be truly sustainable, people and communities must be at the core.
“You cannot mine anywhere in the world without people at the core. This involves transparent, respectful, and trusting relationships with communities, equitable sharing of resources like land and water, and ensuring that mineral extraction leads to tangible socio-economic development. There is no point in us supplying minerals and copper for the next 20, 30 years if there is nothing we can show for it in the communities where we extract these things,” he stated.
Key Pillars for Future Success
Mr Mukutuma further outlined three crucial areas for Zambia’s mining future, which include increased exploration spend, technology and innovation, and security of tenure through community engagement.
“You cannot have a mine without a deposit. We must increase our spend on exploration. Even unsuccessful exploration builds valuable knowledge, especially if aggregated into an accessible national database,” he said.
He added that given the high capital intensity of new mines, a strong return on investment is paramount, necessitating advanced technology.
“You will start to see a lot of use of technology. AI, both generative and predictive, will be used. There is automation you will start to see.”
He cited FQM’s use of autonomous drills and plans for autonomous trucks, alongside remote sensing for managing vast tailings dams, and that this ensured their safe construction and continuous monitoring to prevent failures.
True security of tenure, he argued, extended beyond regulatory paperwork. “You get that by making sure that you are engaged with the communities where you operate, and that the community and the people are core to whatever business that you are doing.”
FQM’s 30-year journey in Zambia, growing from 10,000 tonnes to an anticipated 450,000-500,000 tonnes next year, is a testament to this principle.
Lasting Value Beyond the Mine Life
Mr Mukutuma’s noted that while mining had historically been the backbone of Zambia’s economy, providing jobs, infrastructure, and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives, the question of what happens after a mine closes remained vital, adding that this is where digital skills training for youth becomes critical.
“Our world is changing very, very quickly, becoming more and more digital. And there is a disparity in rural communities surrounding mines, which often lack access to IT skills. Mining companies, have a responsibility to establish tech hubs and provide training in future-ready skills, including programming and coding for AI and automation.
“These skills ensure that, as the world transforms, they are actually future-ready, enabling them to secure employment in the digitalised mining sector and beyond,” he said.
He shared an inspiring example from FQM’s Kwambula trade school in Solwezi, which has trained over 544 youths.
“Faced with a high dropout rate among the few women enrolled, FQM intentionally implemented all-female intakes, resulting in 30 women successfully graduating and now working in the mines. We need to be intentional about these things. Otherwise, they just don’t happen,” he stressed.
Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation
Responding to a question on environmental impacts of mining, Mr Mukutuma shed light on Zambia’s robust Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), explaining that before any mining commences, an independent consultant assesses the potential environmental impacts, translating this into financial liability.
“A portion of this is deposited in cash, with the remainder secured by a bank guarantee. And this system incentivises ongoing rehabilitation. As mining progresses, an independent auditor assesses the liability every year. If there is an area that has been rehabilitated or re-vegetated, and the liability is adjusted downwards as a result. This reduces the cost of the bank guarantee, motivating continuous environmental stewardship,” he continued.
He pointed to FQM’s Kansanshi and Trident Mines, Tailings Storage Facilities and waste dumps that have been revegetated significantly and consistently – with trees and grass planted – over the years.
Investing in Youth for a Prosperous Future
In concluding, Mr Mukutuma returned to the central theme of youth. “Zambia’s population is extremely young, and we need to prepare for that future.”
He proposed a future where the 3 million tonne copper target translates into a US$30-40 billion mining value chain annually, up from the current US$2-3 billion for 250,000 tonnes.
“Digital skills are not just about coding and computers; it is about being confident, being able to communicate, being able to connect. We need to start building those skills in our youths now so that as we get into that future of opportunity, they are ready.
“And being lucky is when ‘opportunity meets preparedness’. Let us get our youths ready. Let us all get to that point where the youths in our communities and across Zambia, can experience luck because when opportunity comes, they will be ready,” he said.
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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and nickel. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2024, First Quantum globally produced 431,000 tonnes of copper, 139,000 ounces of gold and 24,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine and smelter in Solwezi, and the Sentinel copper mine and the Enterprise nickel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
http://www.first-quantum.com/
