The scramble for copper exposes geopolitical rivalries as industrial heavyweights -- including China, the United States, Canada, Europe, India and Gulf states -- compete to secure supplies. Another major player is Canada's First Quantum Minerals, Zambia's largest corporate taxpayer. "The world is waking up to Zambia's copper. But Zambia has been living with copper and its consequences for a century," Muchena told AFP. Environmental damage caused by mining has long plagued Zambia's copper belt.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 15, 2026 07:04 UTC