People’s Party President Sebastian C. Kopulande Unveils 12-Pillar Mining Policy to Reshape Zambian Ownership
By Hellen Bwalya
People’s Party President Dr. Sebastian C. Kopulande has officially launched a 12-pillar mining policy designed to shift Zambia’s mineral sector away from foreign dependency and toward a model of local ownership and value addition.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Kopulande argued that while the current United Party for National Development (UPND) administration has stabilized the industry, it has failed to enact the structural transformation necessary to liberate the national economy.
The proposed policy centers on the radical transformation of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) into a sovereign mining powerhouse and the establishment of a dedicated Mining Development Bank to provide capital for domestic players. Dr. Kopulande emphasized that the People’s Party intends to move beyond the mere extraction of raw materials by mandating the establishment of local smelters and refineries.
This industrial push aims to position Zambia within the global green energy supply chain through the domestic manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicle components.
Addressing the plight of informal miners, the policy includes a framework to legally recognize and empower artisanal and small-scale operations, integrating them into the formal economy through better access to technology and regulated markets.
Kopulande clarified that while his administration would not be hostile to foreign capital, the priority must shift to “economic independence,” ensuring that mineral wealth translates into community development and environmental restoration rather than solely benefiting external shareholders.
To ensure accountability, the 12-pillar plan introduces stricter transparency protocols and environmental regulations intended to protect local ecosystems from mining-related degradation.
Dr. Kopulande concluded his address by asserting that modernizing a system is insufficient if the underlying structure continues to favor export-led exploitation over national prosperity. – Rainbow Newspaper Zambia Limited (RNZL (
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