Foreign media reported on February 22 that Zambia's mining regulator suspended operations at the Mopani copper mine's Mufulila mine after the mine failed to conduct a headcount of all personnel underground. The Minerals Regulatory Commission stated that this decision stemmed from a recent incident at Mopani where the mine failed to comply with regulations requiring a system to record underground personnel at all times. Operations can only resume after rectification is completed. The regulator will also conduct a comprehensive audit of all Mopani assets, including the larger Nkana mine.

Mopani is one of Zambia's largest copper mining companies, and the country's second-largest copper producer is working to increase production to meet the booming demand for copper from clean energy technologies. In 2024, IRH acquired a 51% stake in Mopani for $1.1 billion, with the remainder held by the Zambian National Mining Corporation (IRH). IRH planned to invest $300 million to increase Mopani's annual copper production from the current approximately 70,000 tons to 200,000 tons. This shutdown undoubtedly casts a shadow over this ambitious production expansion plan.

Zambia's copper production reached 820,000 tons in 2025, an increase from the previous year. However, safety records and operational compliance are becoming key factors constraining this production increase. The shutdown of the Mufulila mine not only impacts current output but also exposes deep-seated deficiencies in Mopani's management system. A comprehensive audit by regulatory authorities could bring more problems to light, further delaying the production increase plan.

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