BHP Eyes Deep Copper Discoveries in Zambia Amid Growing Global Demand
BHP Group is exploring opportunities for large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, according to statements from the country’s mines ministry reported by Reuters. The move reflects growing global demand for copper, a metal increasingly critical for renewable energy, electrification, and infrastructure development.
Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of Congo, is aiming to significantly expand its production capacity. The government has set a target to more than triple copper output by 2031 and is actively seeking foreign investment to develop its largely underexplored mineral resources.
BHP has maintained a limited presence in Africa over the past decade but is now renewing its engagement with the region. The company recently launched a series of exploration workshops across southern Africa, including Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola, aimed at identifying new opportunities through early May.
According to Zambia’s mines ministry, BHP is increasingly focusing on large copper deposits that are more difficult to locate using traditional exploration methods. These resources are often buried deep underground or concealed beneath geological cover, requiring advanced exploration technologies and improved data analysis.
Campbell McCuaig, head of global generative exploration at BHP, noted during meetings in Lusaka that many of the world’s remaining large copper deposits are not easily detectable at the surface. He also welcomed Zambia’s efforts to expand access to geoscience data, including government-supported airborne surveys and the digitisation of geological records.
Officials believe these initiatives could help attract additional international investment and accelerate exploration activity. As copper demand continues to rise globally, Zambia is positioning itself as a key supplier while companies like BHP search for the next generation of large-scale copper discoveries.
