ZAMBIA’S copper production is likely to remain below one million metric tonnes for at least another three years given the persistent challenges mining companies still face, says the Zambia Chamber of Mines. Last week, Mines Minister Richard Musukwa announced that copper production had increased to 646,111.25 metric tonnes by September 30, this year, up from...

ENERGY Minister Mathew Nkhuwa is expected to announce an official position on Statutory Instrument No. 57 of 2020, which declared the Copperbelt Energy Corporation’s (CEC) infrastructure as common carrier by the end of this year, says Ministry Permanent Secretary Trevor Kaunda. Commenting on the ongoing review of the SI, which Nkhuwa promulgated in May, 2020,...

THE annual rate of inflation has increased to 17.4 per cent in November, up from 16 per cent recorded in October, mainly induced by huge price increases in food and non-food items, the highest on record since September, 2016, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZSA). Announcing Zambia’s annual rate of inflation for the month...

THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) says its sales volumes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year should not be expected to hit more than the 25 per cent growth it achieved last year. And CEC says Konkola Copper Mines’ (KCM) continued failure to pay and honour its financial obligations towards its unpaid...

THE Kitwe Chamber of Commerce has described 2020 as a dark year where government has constantly interfered with local businesses, leading to disruption and heightened uncertainty. And the Chamber has predicted that government will increase its populist agenda going into 2021 ahead of next year’s crucial general election in a bid to mobilise votes. Chamber...

JOURNALISTS must be careful to report news in the correct context, especially in a general election year, to avoid unnecessary conflicts with sources, says Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga. Speaking during the official opening of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) two-day workshop on the Safety of Journalists in Zambia, Malupenga...

THE kwacha has depreciated to hit the K21.00 per dollar psychological barrier for the first time ever in Zambia’s history, owing to overwhelmingly high demand for the greenback on the local market, compounded with little supply. According to financial market players, the kwacha maintained a weak position, depreciating to breach and crash through an historic...

FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited has posted a record quarterly copper output of over 211,000 metric tonnes in the third quarter of this year, up 10 per cent compared to the same period last year, mainly boosted by its Kalumbila-based Sentinel mining unit. And FQM says it is working to manage the logistical challenges presented...

ZAMBIA urgently needs debt relief to help the country deal with the Coronavirus pandemic and revive the stressed economy, says Oxfam. In a policy note dubbed: Zambia’s Private Debt and the Coronavirus, Oxfam, the globally-renowned NGO focused on fighting inequality to beat poverty, urged Eurbond holders, among other creditors, to grant Zambia debt relief because...

THE annual rate of inflation has increased to 16 per cent in October, up from 15.7 per cent recorded in September, mainly induced by a jump in food prices, according to the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZSA). Announcing Zambia’s annual rate of inflation for the month of October, ZSA Interim Statistician General Mulenga Musepa disclosed that...