President Hichilema Commissions Zambia’s $1.25 Billion Cooper Project

Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has officially commissioned the S3 Expansion Project, a copper mine valued at $1.25 billion.

In a statement to launch the project on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, President Hichilema thanked First Quantum Minerals, the Kansanshi Team and the people of Zambia for the project come to fruition, saying “This milestone demonstrates strong private sector confidence and enduring partnership in Zambia’s growth story.”

According to him, “the S3 Expansion is one of the largest private investments in Zambia’s history. It will extend the mine’s life by more than 20 years and increase copper output to nearly 300,000 tonnes annually.”

He says the project will generate significant benefits for Zambia, adding that “It will boost export earnings, strengthen our balance of payments, create quality jobs, support local businesses, and enhance corporate social responsibility initiatives.”

President Hichilema noted that “As we celebrate this major investment, we must also secure the future of our artisanal and small-scale miners. That is why we have directed the Ministry of Mines to convene an Artisanal Mining Conference to develop policies that promote legal, safe, and formalized mining practices. By doing so, we will protect lives, unlock opportunities for our citizens, and ensure that Zambia’s mineral wealth benefits all, complementing large-scale projects such as S3 and building a sustainable mining sector for generations to come. Let it be clear: there shall be no illegal mining.”