Canadian mining company First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and Anzana Electric Group have announced a strategic collaboration to develop new hydropower generation projects in northern Zambia.
Under the agreement, Anzana plans to provide up to 50 MW of reliable baseload electricity by 2030 to support FQM’s mining operations in Zambia’s North-Western Province.
Supporting Mining Along the Lobito Corridor
FQM operates within Zambia’s portion of the Lobito Corridor, a strategic trade and mineral development route backed by the United States government and other G7 partners. The new hydropower capacity is intended to secure long-term, dependable power supply for mining activities while strengthening Zambia’s national electricity infrastructure.
Electricity generated from the proposed hydropower plants will be delivered to FQM through a wheeling arrangement with Zesco, Zambia’s state-owned power utility. The structure reflects ongoing progress toward open-access electricity frameworks that encourage private-sector participation in generation.
Anzana has also signed a binding term sheet with Zesco to establish a joint venture aimed at expanding the national grid and connecting approximately two million Zambians along the Lobito Corridor to electricity by 2030.
Strategic Location and Grid Benefits
The hydropower projects will be located in northern Zambia, where hydrological conditions are less vulnerable to seasonal variability, enabling stable year-round power generation.
Beyond diversifying FQM’s energy mix, the projects are expected to enhance grid stability, reduce transmission losses, and facilitate the integration of additional variable renewable energy projects in the region.
Construction is projected to create approximately 300 jobs over a three-year period, followed by more than 30 permanent operational roles. The initiative is also expected to support skills development and technical capacity-building in rural communities.
FQM Zambia Country Director Anthony Mukutuma stated that reliable baseload power is essential for mining operations and that accessing new hydropower through the national grid supports both industrial growth and national development priorities.
Anzana Electric Group CEO Brian Kelly added that the collaboration aligns mining-led economic growth along the Lobito Corridor with broader energy sector reforms, strengthening Zambia’s electricity system while enabling industrial expansion.
The partnership marks a significant step in integrating private hydropower development with national grid expansion, reinforcing Zambia’s long-term energy security and economic growth strategy.
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