Once again, the drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon has had significant repercussions on the Zambian economy. Last Monday, Zesco (Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation), the state-owned electricity company, announced its intention to import electricity to avoid an energy deficit that could affect its copper industry. “Zambia expects a 700-megawatt electricity production deficit this year,” the company revealed in a statement.
“We are negotiating additional electricity imports that will be strategically allocated to crucial sectors, including mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, to support economic stability and growth,” Zesco further stated.
Last week, Zesco warned mining companies of fluctuations in electricity supply due to reduced production capacity, raising concerns about the country’s copper production, especially for Canadian company First Quantum – with a planned copper production of 420,000 tonnes in 2024 – seeking to import around 80 MW of electricity for its copper mines.
As the second-largest copper producer in Africa and seventh globally, Zambia recorded a decline in copper production of around 698,000 tonnes in 2023, compared to 763,000 tonnes the previous year, according to the Chamber of Mines.
The country accounts for 4% of global copper production, with major producers including Chile, Peru, China, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Zambia’s copper exports increased by 0.17% in 2022 compared to 2021, with the majority exported to China.
Last week, the Chamber of Mines Council called on Zesco, the government, and the entire energy sector to prioritize the protection of underground mine ventilation, mine dewatering infrastructure, and copper smelter furnaces against irreparable damage caused by power cuts during load shedding periods.