3m tonnes of Copper Vs value addition? CBU Prof weighs in
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NewsProfessor Peter Chileshe, a seasoned mining expert […]
Professor Peter Chileshe, a seasoned mining expert and Senior Lecturer at the Copperbelt University’s School of Mines, has weighed in on Zambia’s ongoing debate: Should the nation continue its ambitious target to triple copper output to 3 million metric tonnes by 2031, or shift focus to value addition, which some experts say could increase copper revenues tenfold?
In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Prof. Chileshe provided a nuanced perspective. He acknowledged the current realities, stating, “In the short term, we are trapped as commodity producers.”
He explained that Zambia’s present economic structure heavily depends on exporting raw copper, and expecting a rapid transition to value addition within five years would be unrealistic. However, Prof. Chileshe emphasized that with strategic investment, the medium- to long-term outlook could be transformative.
“If we use the revenue generated over the next five to ten years to invest in manufacturing, especially industries that utilize copper, we could see significant change,” he noted.
He pointed to the vision of former President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, who championed mineral-based manufacturing, as a credible path forward. Prof. Chileshe cautioned that achieving substantial value addition would require a dedicated national agenda spanning 10 to 20 years.
He referenced the Democratic Republic of Congo’s achievement of 3 million tonnes in copper production as an aspirational benchmark for Zambia, highlighting how increased output could provide the financial resources necessary to drive industrialization.
“In the short term, we must focus on increasing copper output. But in the medium to long term, the goal should be to transition from being primarily a commodity exporter to a balanced economy with robust manufacturing capabilities,” Prof. Chileshe concluded.
He also underscored Zambia’s comparative advantage in mineral wealth compared to neighboring Malawi, emphasizing the importance of leveraging this natural bounty for sustainable economic growth.
Article by Tyndale Muchiya
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