Planned extended shutdowns at two of Zambia’s largest copper smelters are set to squeeze output of the metal and disrupt supplies of sulphuric acid, a critical input for mining operations across central Africa, industry sources said.
The outages at Mopani Copper Mines and Chambishi Metals come at a time of heightened global supply strain linked to the Iran conflict, which has already disrupted the availability of key industrial chemicals used in copper and cobalt processing.
Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, generates roughly two million metric tons of sulphuric acid annually as a byproduct of smelting, most of which is used domestically, with surplus volumes typically exported to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, local stocks have fallen sharply, leaving little or no capacity for exports, according to First Quantum Minerals, a major operator in the country.
The tightening supply is already having knock-on effects in Congo, the world’s top cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer, where miners are cutting chemical usage or considering output reductions due to shortages.
Industry sources say both Mopani and Chambishi will undergo maintenance shutdowns significantly longer than the typical 30-day annual stoppages.
Mopani is expected to halt operations for around 40 to 45 days between August and mid-September, following a shorter shutdown in June, while Chambishi could remain offline for up to two months, according to a chemicals trading source.
The extended maintenance reflects years of underinvestment and operational constraints, particularly at Mopani, which is currently producing well below its installed capacity of 225,000 metric tons of finished copper annually.
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The smelter has struggled with limited access to copper concentrate, forcing intermittent stoppages as development and mining activities are carried out simultaneously.
Zambia’s government has also tightened controls on sulphuric acid exports, requiring permits for shipments in an effort to prioritise domestic supply.
While industry players say the policy is justified, they note that export volumes are unlikely to recover in the near term given already depleted inventories.
The developments come against a backdrop of tightening global copper supply, as years of underinvestment have constrained the growth of new mining projects.
Zambia produced about 890,000 metric tons of copper last year, falling short of its one-million-ton target, underscoring the challenges facing the sector.
Analysts warn that the combination of smelter shutdowns and chemical shortages could further tighten supply in the global market, particularly as demand for copper continues to rise due to its central role in clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable power systems and grid infrastructure.
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The Iran conflict has added to the pressure by disrupting supply chains for industrial inputs, including sulphur and other chemicals essential for mineral processing.
This has forced mining companies to reassess operations, with some in the region already scaling back production or exploring alternative sourcing strategies.
For Zambia and its neighbours, the situation highlights the vulnerability of mining supply chains to geopolitical shocks, particularly in sectors reliant on complex processing inputs.
While the maintenance shutdowns are temporary, their impact could extend beyond the immediate period, affecting production levels, export revenues and regional trade flows.
As global demand for copper continues to grow, the ability of producers to maintain stable output and secure critical inputs will remain a key factor shaping the market in the months ahead.
