Zambia appoints Brenda Tambatamba as Mining Minister

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has appointed Brenda Tambatamba as the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development. Sworn in in Lusaka on October 28, 2026, Tambatamba succeeds Paul Kabuswe, who led the ministry for nearly five years.

Tambatamba brings industry-specific experience to the role, having previously served as a sustainability manager at the Lumwana copper mine operated by the Canadian company Barrick. She has served as a Member of Parliament for Kasempa since 2016 and formerly held the position of Minister of Labour and Social Security.

The appointment comes as Zambia pursues an ambitious goal to more than triple its annual copper production, aiming for 3 million tons by 2031 from an estimated 890,000 tons in 2025. Achieving this target will require significant private investment to expand existing operations and develop new mining projects.