To clinch the 2024 Mining Company of the Year title, Mopani Copper Mines PLC received awards in four of the eight competitive categories contested by all mining companies in Zambia, namely:
1. Best Performer in Innovation 2024
2. Best Performer in Local Content 2024
3. Best Employer of the Year 2024
4. Mining Woman of the Year 2024 – Chemical Engineer, Ms. Mwitwa Muyembe
The Zambia Chamber of Mines’ Mining Awards are adjudicated by an independent panel of judges drawn from academia, civil society, and relevant government departments, including the Mines Safety Department and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
1. Mining Woman of the Year 2024 – Eng. Ms Mwitwa Muyembe of Mopani Copper Mines PLC
2. Mining Personality of the Year 2024 – Eng. Reuben Chongo of Konkola Copper Mines
3. Best Performer in Local Content for the Year 2024 – Mopani Copper Mines PLC
4. Best Mining Employer of the Year 2024 – Mopani Copper Mines PLC
5. Best Performer in Social Investment for the Year 2024 – FQM Kansanshi Mining PLC
6. Best Performer in Innovation for the Year 2024 – Mopani Copper Mines PLC
7. Best Performer in Occupational Health and Safety for the Year 2024 – Barrick Lumwana Copper Mine
8. Best Performer in Environmental Management for the Year 2024 – Barrick Lumwana Copper Mine
The overall Mining Company of the Year Award is presented to the company that amasses the highest number of awards at the Gala.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Hon. Paul Kabuswe, commended Mopani for its exemplary commitment to best practices and urged the company to play a leading role in ramping up Zambia’s copper production.
“As government, we want to see Zambia attain the national target of producing three million tonnes of copper by 2031. Looking at the numbers so far, this year looks likely that we will hit one million tonnes – a milestone never before achieved in Zambia. We expect the winners of the Mining Company of the Year Award [Mopani Copper Mines PLC] to play a significant role in attaining this target,” Hon. Kabuswe said.
He further encouraged other mining firms to learn from Mopani’s success, saying: “To the other mining companies who have not won this important award, I encourage you to continue working hard and to learn from your colleagues on how you can do better next time.”
Hon. Kabuswe also commended the Zambia Chamber of Mines for promoting excellence and recognising top performance across various categories in the mining industry.
“I must commend the Chamber of Mines for introducing these awards to promote and recognise best practices in the industry, particularly in mine safety and women’s participation. This is as it should be – a mark of good leadership from the Chamber and its team,” he said.
Copperbelt Provincial Minister, Hon. Elisha Matambo, praised Mopani’s resurgence as a testament to the government’s improved mining policy.
“When the UPND came to power, Mopani was in the intensive care unit, KCM [Konkola Copper Mines] was in the mortuary, and Shaft 28 in Luanshya was in the graveyard – already buried. But in less than five years, Mopani is now revived [from the mortuary], unlocked and high-flying, with over 2,800 new jobs created since the arrival of International Resources Holding [the majority strategic equity partner in Mopani],” Hon. Matambo said.
The Zambia Chamber of Mines’ Mining Awards are adjudicated by an independent panel of judges drawn from academia, civil society, and relevant government departments, including the Mines Safety Department and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA).
