An investment led by the UAE’s International Resources Holding (IRH) has helped deliver a strong revival at Zambia’s Mopani Copper Mines, one of Africa’s most strategically important copper assets. A year after IRH became Mopani’s majority shareholder, production is up, jobs have been created, and long-term expansion plans are now underway.
Mopani’s latest operational update, presented to suppliers and community leaders in Kitwe on 18th July 2025, revealed a 35% increase in ore production, alongside a 14% rise in copper grades and a 54% boost in contained copper output in the first half of 2025 vis-à-vis the first half of 2024. The cathode production increased by 103% compared to the first half of 2023 pre-acquisition.
Since 2024, IRH has invested over $1.1 billion into Mopani, including $620 million in equity and $400 million in long-term funding. This substantial investment has been instrumental in driving Mopani’s financial stability and operational turnaround. It is not just the scale of funding, but also IRH’s strong operational capabilities that have played a pivotal role in delivering tangible improvements at Mopani. These capabilities have helped stabilise the business, improve performance, and lay the foundation for future growth. Building on this momentum, Mopani is now targeting an ambitious copper production goal of 300,000 tons per year by 2029. An airborne geophysical survey is underway to identify additional reserves that could extend the life of the mine beyond 30 years.
Mopani now employs over 13,000 people, having created 2,293 new roles since March 2024. The company’s vendor strategy has also prioritised local value, with 80% of procurement spend in 2025 has been pumped into the Zambian economy, worth $685 million, out of which $311 million is awarded to Local Zambian companies and $374 million to Zambian-registered foreign companies. Health and education initiatives, including a $14.8 million investment in hospital upgrades, are also underway.
Mopani’s digitisation programme has made it one of the most technologically advanced mines in the region, with real-time monitoring systems, AI-supported grade control, and predictive maintenance infrastructure, which has increased the mine’s operating efficiency and safety performance, whilst also reducing costs. Mopani’s wifi infrastructure now reaches 2km underground.
The Mopani investment forms part of IRH’s broader strategy to develop long-term resource partnerships across Africa, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, localisation, and industrial development. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s growing investment footprint on the continent and reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to responsible international growth.
