Zambia’s Chambishi Copper Smelter Cuts Production by One-Fifth Due to Power Shortages
The Chambishi Copper Smelter, a significant player in Zambia’s mining sector and owned by China Nonferrous Metal Mining Corp (CNMC), has reduced its production capacity by one-fifth due to severe power shortages gripping the country.
Zambia, heavily reliant on hydropower for electricity generation, is grappling with persistent droughts, the most severe in decades, which have substantially depleted water levels, resulting in diminished power output.
Moreover, Zambia’s state-owned power utility, Zesco, has undertaken extensive maintenance projects on electrical infrastructure, necessitating planned power outages in the capital city, Lusaka.
Reports indicate that Chambishi commenced scaling back its capacity last week in anticipation of Zesco’s announced rationing of electrical supply, effective from March 11.
To address concerns regarding power security during shortages, CNMC is reportedly exploring the possibility of installing diesel generators at the Chambishi facility.
The Chambishi plant, a key processing facility in Zambia, typically yields approximately 250,000 tonnes of copper annually, making a substantial contribution to the country’s copper production.
However, Zambia’s overall copper output has been on a downward trajectory due to a dearth of new investments, with production dropping to 698,000 tonnes last year from 763,000 tonnes in 2022.
The repercussions of power cuts extend beyond Chambishi, potentially impacting smaller producers within the country’s mining sector.
In response to the crisis, Zesco intends to engage with mining companies to explore strategies for mitigating the power shortfall and its adverse effects on copper supply.
Additional source: Battery Metals Africa
