The Zambian copper industry experienced about 5% decrease in export earnings from refined copper, dropping from K17.2 billion in July 2024 to K16.4 billion in August 2024.
According to the Zambia Statistics Agency – Zamstats this decline was mirrored by a 6.4% decrease in refined copper export volumes, falling from about 70 thousand mt in July to about 65 thousand mt in August 2024.
“Export earnings from refined copper decreased by 4.6 percent from K17.2 billion in July 2024 to K16.4 billion in August 2024. Refined Copper export volumes decreased by 6.4 percent from 68.7 thousand mt in July 2024 to 64.3 thousand mt in August 2024.” Confirmed Goodson Sinyenga, Zamstats Statistician General.
Furthermore, copper prices on the LME market also saw a 5% decrease, from US$9,393.6 per mt in July 2024 to US$8,963.7 per mt in August 2024.
Meanwhile, the cumulative volume of refined copper exported from January to August 2024 saw a decrease to 511.5 thousand mt from 531.6 thousand mt in 2024 representing a 3.6% decline.