Zambia’s mining regulator has lifted a suspension on underground operations at the Mufulira copper mine, allowing work to resume after the company addressed safety concerns that led to last week’s shutdown, Reuters reported. The decision follows the implementation of enhanced monitoring and worker tracking systems at the facility.
The suspension was imposed after regulators found that Mopani Copper Mines had failed to maintain an accurate system to account for all underground workers, a critical requirement under Zambia’s Mining Regulation 218. In response, the company installed new technology designed to verify that the mine is fully cleared within two hours of each shift and introduced closed-circuit television monitoring to improve oversight of underground activity, meeting the regulator’s safety standards.
Mufulira, one of Zambia’s oldest and largest copper operations, is integral to the country’s mining industry. Zambia is Africa’s second-largest copper producer, and the mine’s output contributes significantly to national export earnings and industrial activity. Mopani’s ownership includes a 51 % stake held by UAE-based International Resources Holding, acquired in 2024, with the remainder owned by state miner ZCCM Investments Holdings.
Zambia’s copper sector produced around 890,000 metric tons in 2025, and authorities have set a long-term target of boosting annual output to 3 million tons by 2031. Mining.com says lifting the suspension after the safety upgrades reflects the regulator’s effort to balance workplace protections with the need to support production in one of the nation’s most important economic sectors.
