Vedanta Launches CopperTech Metals to Strengthen US Copper Supply via Zambia

Vedanta Resources has announced the launch of CopperTech Metals Inc., a US-domiciled company designed to bolster America’s copper supply chain through direct operations in Zambia. The newly formed venture will take ownership and operational control of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), one of the richest and most extensive copper assets in the world. This strategic move positions Vedanta as a pivotal connector between Zambia’s mineral wealth and the United States’ accelerating demand for copper, a critical component of the global energy transition, data infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

CopperTech Metals marks a new phase in Vedanta’s international growth strategy, building upon its previous US$3 billion investment in KCM and committing an additional US$1.5 billion toward expansion and modernization. The company plans to ramp up production from 140,000 tonnes of copper in 2026 to 300,000 tonnes by 2031, with long-term targets of 500,000 tonnes per year. In line with Vedanta’s inclusive approach to development, Zambia’s state-owned mining investment entity, ZCCM-IH, will retain its 20.6 percent stake in KCM, ensuring continued national participation in the mine’s economic benefits.

CopperTech Metals will incorporate AI-driven mining and resource optimization technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve operational transparency. The venture’s model integrates advanced analytics, automation, and sustainability frameworks to achieve higher productivity while aligning with global environmental standards. By embedding these technologies, Vedanta aims to establish CopperTech as a benchmark for responsible mining and supply chain innovation across Africa and North America.

The formation of CopperTech comes at a time of mounting concern over global copper supply security. According to the US Geological Survey, the United States currently imports around 45 percent of its refined copper, while China controls nearly 45 percent of global production. With global copper demand projected to rise 40 percent by 2040, driven by renewable energy, electric vehicles, data centers, and defense industries, CopperTech’s role in securing stable, diversified supply routes will be crucial. Vedanta’s founder, Anil Agarwal, described the initiative as “a historic moment linking US innovation with Zambia’s mining future,” emphasizing its potential to strengthen transatlantic economic ties while advancing sustainable development in Africa.

The establishment of CopperTech Metals represents more than a corporate restructuring, it signifies the beginning of a new era of resource diplomacy connecting African production with US industrial needs. By deepening Zambia’s role in the global copper market and supporting America’s ambitions for energy security and industrial self-sufficiency, the venture stands to redefine how strategic minerals are developed, traded, and integrated into the global economy.

Mini-Glossary

• Konkola Copper Mines (KCM): One of Zambia’s largest copper producers, located in the Copperbelt region and known for high-grade reserves.
• AI-Driven Mining: The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize mine planning, processing, and sustainability.
• ZCCM-IH: Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings, the government’s investment arm in the mining sector.
• Refined Copper: Copper that has been processed to remove impurities for use in electrical, industrial, and manufacturing applications.
• Resource Diplomacy: The strategic collaboration between nations to secure access to essential raw materials.