{
  "id": 5293287,
  "title": "PODCAST: Young Zambians are betting on the copper boom. Will it be different this time?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/podcast-young-zambians-are-betting-on-the-copper-boom-will-it-be",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-03T09:30:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Maverick",
    "slug": "daily-maverick",
    "url": "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-03-young-zambians-are-betting-on-the-copper-boom-will-it-be-different-this-time/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Zambia's copper town of Kitwe, young Zambians are placing their hopes on the mining industry for prosperity. The global copper prices are surging, and the mines are hiring, drawing a new generation to the sector. However, the promise of a brighter future is marred by pollution, outdated infrastructure, and opaque deals that could repeat the resource curse.\n\nAt Copperbelt University, the number of students studying mining has quadrupled in the past five years. They are eager to escape poverty and bring prosperity to their country. Despite the challenges, like outdated facilities and a lack of resources, the students remain optimistic. They believe that with their determination, they can turn the industry's potential into tangible benefits for Zambia.\n\nBut the path is not without obstacles. In Wusakile township, young men are mining copper without permits in the shadow of Black Mountain, a massive pile of mine waste that has contaminated the environment for nearly a century. The government has promised to legalize their activities, but none of the miners have received permits yet.\n\nMoreover, recent events have highlighted the risks associated with mining. In February of last year, a tailings dam burst, releasing millions of liters of acidic waste into the Kafue River, affecting nearly 700,000 people's water supply. Despite the incident, some residents still do not feel confident drinking tap water.\n\nExperts warn that while strong laws exist on paper, without proper transparency and accountability, the people and environment of Zambia will continue to suffer. The question remains: will this new generation of Zambians break the resource curse and ensure a sustainable future for their country?",
  "summary": "As global copper prices climb, young Zambians bet on mining for prosperity – but polluted water, ageing infrastructure and opaque deals threaten to repeat the resource curse.",
  "key_points": [
    "Number of students studying mining at Copperbelt University has quadrupled in five years",
    "Young miners operate without permits near contaminated Black Mountain",
    "Recent tailings dam disaster affected water supply for 700,000 people"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}