Zambian Copper Smelters' Shutdowns to Squeeze Production Amid Global Acid Shortage

Published: Apr 21, 2026 16:09

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Zambia's two largest copper smelters and sulphuric acid producers plan to carry out extended maintenance shutdowns later this year, which will further squeeze the country's copper production and the supply of sulphuric acid used to process copper and cobalt.The war in Iran has disrupted the global supply of this critical acid and other leaching chemicals, forcing mines in the neighboring Congo, the world's largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer, to reduce usage or consider cutting production.

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