FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURE
DECEMBER 15, 2025

FIRST QUANTUM WELCOMES INCREASED LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE ZAMBIAN MINING SECTOR 

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – First Quantum Minerals acknowledges the Minerals Development (Preference for Zambian Goods and Services) Regulations, 2025 issued recently by The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. The legislation is designed to increase local participation in the country’s growing mining sector. As an investor in Zambia for almost 30 years, First Quantum supports all efforts to unlock opportunities across the mining value chain for Zambian businesses. 

The government’s goal of producing 3 million tons of copper a year by 2031 will require, alongside significant levels of investment by international mining companies, many more skilled workers and a range of local suppliers to provide these growing enterprises with the necessary products and services. Across our global operations, First Quantum always prioritizes local businesses and develops regional supply chains wherever possible; the monitoring and performance of our suppliers is a process of continual improvement. As a global business, more than 80% of our spend is with nationally registered suppliers.  

First Quantum’s Zambia Country Director, Anthony Mukutuma, commented: “First Quantum strives to foster the development of local supply chains whenever it is commercially viable to do so. In 2024 alone, First Quantum spent more than $1.7 billion with Zambian-registered businesses, representing 84% of our spending on goods and services in the country. This is equivalent to around 6% of Zambia’s GDP. 

“The recently commissioned Kansanshi S3 Expansion, one of the most advanced copper projects in Africa, involved over 2,500 Zambians and 535 local Zambian companies, working on the project alongside our in-house teams — gaining skills and capacity that will serve them long after S3 is complete.” 

First Quantum has developed a new way for interested local Zambian suppliers to submit their interest in becoming a registered vendor with the company in Zambia. Registration will enable consideration for relevant requests-for-quotes and tender processes, opening the door to future business opportunities with First Quantum Minerals. See https://supply.fqml.com for further details. 

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About First Quantum Minerals Ltd 
First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a global metals and mining company producing mainly copper, gold and nickel. The company’s assets are in Zambia, Spain, Mauritania, Australia, Finland, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Peru.
In 2024, First Quantum globally produced 431,000 tonnes of copper, 139,000 ounces of gold and 24,000 tonnes of nickel.
In Zambia it operates the Kansanshi mine and smelter in Solwezi, and the Sentinel copper mine and the Enterprise nickel mine in Kalumbila.
The company is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
http://www.first-quantum.com/

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