Middle Eastern and Chinese-backed mining companies have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of Zambia's decision to extend the suspension of a 10% export duty on copper concentrates, securing a substantial portion of the country's 271,742-ton duty-free export quota.
The move comes as Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, grapples with processing bottlenecks caused by prolonged maintenance and repair work at key smelters.
To prevent a buildup of unprocessed copper concentrate and keep mines operating, the government has extended the duty suspension until September 30.
According to a government notice seen by Reuters, the temporary exemption covers 271,742 metric tons of copper concentrates, allowing miners to export material that would otherwise attract the 10% levy.
The largest allocation went to Mopani Copper Mines, which received a 100,000-ton duty-free export quota. The company is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding (IRH) and Zambia's state mining investment firm ZCCM-IH, reflecting the growing role of Gulf capital in Zambia's mining sector.
