(a) (i) Name two areas of copper mining in Zambia (ii) Describe one method of copper mining in Zambia. (b) Highlight four contributions of copper mining to ...

Answer Details

(a)(i) Two areas of copper mining in Zambia: the Copperbelt Province towns of Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Ndola and Luanshya, and the newer Solwezi (Lumwana/Kansanshi) area in the North-Western Province.

(a)(ii) One method of copper mining: Open-cast (open-pit) mining is used where the copper ore lies near the surface. The overburden (soil and rock covering the ore) is stripped off with heavy machinery, and the exposed ore is drilled, blasted and loaded onto trucks in a series of descending benches, then hauled to the surface for crushing, concentration and smelting. (Where the ore is deep, underground/shaft mining is used instead.)

(b) Contributions of copper mining to Zambia's economic development:

1. It is the chief source of foreign exchange, earning most of Zambia's export income.
2. It provides government revenue through taxes and royalties used for development.
3. It creates employment for miners, engineers and support workers.
4. It has stimulated growth of towns, railways and industries in the Copperbelt.

(c) Problems facing copper mining in Zambia:

1. Price fluctuations: Falling and unstable world copper prices reduce earnings.
2. Landlocked position: High transport costs to distant seaports raise export costs.
3. Depletion, deep ores and power/water shortages: Rising extraction costs, ore depletion and unreliable electricity hamper production.