Konkola Copper Mines employs 14,500 in Zambia
The mining giant's workforce has grown by 30 percent since Vedanta's reinstatement, with salaries also increasing.
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is now Zambia's largest private sector employer, with 14,500 people working at its operations in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe, and Nampundwe. This represents a 30 percent increase in staff numbers since Vedanta was reinstated as owner.
The company has also increased salaries, first by 20 percent in July 2024 and then by another 13 percent in January 2026, totaling approximately a 35 percent rise. KCM has invested in safety improvements, including a raise bore machine for ventilation and a new emulsion explosive, leading to the highest monthly mine development in a decade.
Beyond direct employment, KCM supports around 100,000 people through its Community Trust with $20 million invested in health, education, and infrastructure. An additional 1,200 people are employed through business partners, and KCM generated about $180 million for the government through taxes.
Why it mattersKonkola Copper Mines' expansion directly impacts over 14,500 employees and their families through jobs, salaries, and community investments.