Mining Lawyers in Zambia
Advice on mining rights, transfers and compliance under Zambia’s new mining laws, for licence holders, investors and suppliers.
Zambia's new mining regime
Zambia’s mining law changed in June 2025. The Mines and Minerals Development Act, 2015 was repealed and replaced by the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024, which created a single regulator, the Minerals Regulation Commission, and a Mining Appeals Tribunal. Alongside it, the Geological and Minerals Development Act, 2025 deals with geological survey, exploration and the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, and new local content regulations took effect at the start of 2026.
M.Mweene & Partners advises licence holders, investors, contractors and suppliers across Zambia, including on the Copperbelt and in North-Western Province, from our office in Lusaka. We help clients apply for and keep their mining rights, transfer them or bring in partners, meet the new local content and environmental obligations, and resolve disputes when they arise.
That work extends beyond the operators themselves to the contractors, suppliers and service businesses whose commercial arrangements sit alongside them.
How we can help
- Exploration and mining licence applications
- Transfers of mining rights and changes of control
- Compliance with the Minerals Regulation Commission
- Local content and citizen participation obligations
- Environmental approvals and ZEMA compliance
- Contractor, supplier and offtake agreements
- Joint ventures and mining investment structuring
- Mining disputes, objections and appeals
How we handle a mining matter
Establish the licence position
We confirm what rights you hold or are seeking, under which law they were issued, and their current status with the Commission.
Check eligibility and ownership
We look at who owns and controls the applicant or holder, because citizen participation rules and change-of-control approvals both depend on it.
Map the approvals
We set out every consent the project or transaction needs, from the Minerals Regulation Commission and ZEMA to tax clearance and any competition approval.
Prepare and lodge
We prepare applications, transfer documents and supporting agreements and follow them through with the regulator.
Document the commercial relationships
We draft and negotiate joint venture, contractor, supply and offtake agreements so they fit the licence conditions and local content rules.
Stay compliant
We advise on ongoing obligations and changes in regulations, and act in objections, appeals and disputes if they arise.
Investing in a mining project? See also investment law and mergers & acquisitions.
The main laws that apply
Minerals Regulation Commission Act (Act No. 14 of 2024)
The principal mining law since June 2025. It establishes the Minerals Regulation Commission and the Mining Appeals Tribunal, governs mining rights (exploration and mining licences) and non-mining rights such as mineral processing licences and trading permits, and repealed the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015.
Geological and Minerals Development Act (Act No. 2 of 2025)
Provides for geological survey, mapping and exploration, and for development of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, including an Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund.
Geological and Minerals Development (Local Content) (Preference for Goods and Services in the Mining Sector) Regulations (SI No. 68 of 2025)
Require mining companies to give preference to local goods, services and companies in their procurement, with reporting obligations, effective from 1 January 2026.
Environmental Management Act (Act No. 12 of 2011)
Zambia’s main environmental law. It established the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and requires environmental impact assessment for projects such as mines.
Who we help
Individuals
Landholders, contractors and employees affected by mining operations and their legal consequences.
Businesses
Operators, suppliers and service providers requiring contract, compliance and dispute support.
Investors & Organisations
Investors assessing legal risk, obligations and structuring in Zambia’s resources sector.
We advise clients on mining law from our Lusaka office and across all ten provinces of Zambia.
What to bring to a first consultation
- Copies of any licences, permits or pending applications
- Licence area maps, coordinates or cadastre references
- Company PACRA records and shareholding structure
- Any joint venture, option or farm-in agreements
- Environmental approvals, project briefs or ZEMA correspondence
- Contractor, supplier or offtake contracts in place or proposed
- Correspondence with the Commission, Ministry or other parties
- A short note of the transaction or problem and your timeline
Points to consider under the new mining regime
Existing licences carry over; pending applications move to the new rules
Licences, permits and certificates issued under the 2015 Act remain valid until they expire, are revoked or are surrendered. Applications that were still pending when the new Act came into force are dealt with under the new legislation, so holders should check how renewals, extensions and outstanding applications will be treated.
A change of shareholder can need regulator approval
Under the new Act, transferring or encumbering a mining right needs the Commission’s approval, and so can a change in who controls the company that holds it. Investors and lenders should build this into the deal timetable, and transfers of mining rights are also subject to property transfer tax.
Citizen participation and local content are now central
Artisanal mining is reserved for citizens and citizen co-operatives, small-scale mining for citizen-owned, citizen-influenced or citizen-empowered companies, and the 2025 local content regulations set procurement obligations for mining companies. Suppliers and contractors on the Copperbelt and in North-Western Province should expect these rules to shape how contracts are awarded.
Environmental duties sit with the company and its officers
Projects need ZEMA approval of the environmental impact assessment, and the Commission works with ZEMA on environmental compliance. Directors and officers should understand that the new regime can extend liability to individuals who contribute to environmental breaches.
Related practice areas
Mining law questions
Application fees, licence fees and annual area charges are set by regulations and revised from time to time, and they depend on the type of licence and the size of the area. Because the regime changed in 2025, any figure you find online may be out of date. We confirm the current charges for your specific application before you budget for it.
Since the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024 came into force in June 2025, the Minerals Regulation Commission grants, suspends and revokes mining and non-mining rights. These functions previously sat with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development under the 2015 Act.
Generally yes. Licences, permits and certificates issued under the 2015 Act remain valid until they expire, are revoked or are surrendered. Renewals and any pending applications are handled under the new law, so it is worth reviewing your position before a renewal falls due.
It depends on the type and size of the right. Artisanal mining is reserved for Zambian citizens and citizen co-operatives, and small-scale mining for citizen-owned, citizen-influenced or citizen-empowered companies. For larger exploration and mining rights, the ownership and citizen participation requirements under the new Act should be checked for your specific project before the structure is settled, and we advise on this at the outset.
A mining right can be transferred, but only with the Commission’s approval, and a sale of shares in the licence-holding company may also need approval if it changes control. Property transfer tax applies to transfers of mining rights. We advise on the approvals and tax position before terms are agreed.
The Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024 established a Mining Appeals Tribunal to hear appeals against the Commission’s decisions. Appeals are subject to time limits, so you should take advice as soon as you receive a decision.
Discuss your licence, project or transaction
Tell us about the right you hold or need and your timetable. We will set out the approvals and steps involved under the new law.