Zambia: Energy deficit threatens copper industry

With the drying up of the country’s main hydroelectric dams and repeated load shedding, the mining sector, especially copper mining, is likely to be affected by the electricity deficit.

Once again, the drought exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon has had a significant impact on the Zambian economy. Last Monday, Zesco (Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation), the state-owned electricity company, announced its intention to import electricity to avoid an energy deficit that could affect its copper industry. “Zambia expects a power generation deficit of 700 megawatts this year,” the company said in a statement.