KAWA MULTIMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
Problems facing Copper Industry in Zambia
Price fluctuations on the international market for example in 1971 the price per tone was £425, in 1972 it dropped to £400 in 1973 rose to £900, 1974 to $1400 but suddenly dropped to $513 in 1975. This disorganises the government's planning.
High transport costs to the export ports of Beira, Dar-es-salaam, and Lobito due to land lockedness.
There is great fuel needs for copper refining processes.
The political instability in the neighbouring countries like Angola, Mozambique, Namibia have caused difficulties in copper transportation for export. This forced Zambia to rely on the Tazara railway which has resulted in total congestion at Dar-es-salaam port in Tanzania.
Zambia has suffered from the unfavourable balance of payment because of the increasing prices of imports compared to the decreasing prices of its exports.
There is a problem of severe unemployment especially to those formerly working in the copper mines. In 1982 Zambia earned nothing from copper exports. The workers also earned nothing and were unemployed.
High transport costs to the export ports of Beira, Dar-es-salaam, and Lobito due to land lockedness.
There is great fuel needs for copper refining processes.
The political instability in the neighbouring countries like Angola, Mozambique, Namibia have caused difficulties in copper transportation for export. This forced Zambia to rely on the Tazara railway which has resulted in total congestion at Dar-es-salaam port in Tanzania.
Zambia has suffered from the unfavourable balance of payment because of the increasing prices of imports compared to the decreasing prices of its exports.
There is a problem of severe unemployment especially to those formerly working in the copper mines. In 1982 Zambia earned nothing from copper exports. The workers also earned nothing and were unemployed.