Zambia copper output to ease slightly this year

Zambia's copper production is expected to inch lower to 753 992 t this year from 774 290 t in 2016 mainly due to lower output from Konkola Copper Mines, a subsidiary of London-listed Vedanta Resource, the mines ministry said on Monday. Production at Konkola Copper Mines is expected to decline by 40% this year, Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda told reporters.Production at Konkola Copper Mines will fall by 40% while output at Lumwana Mine, owned by Barrick Gold, should decline by 15%, Chanda added.