By UsedHowoTrucks.com | April 2, 2026
Table of Contents
Overview
Zambia is on track to break its all-time copper production record in 2026, with output projected to exceed 1 million tonnes for the first time in the country's history. Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe confirmed the milestone target to reporters in Lusaka in January 2026, citing expansion projects at the country's two largest operations. The production surge is translating directly into higher demand for heavy haulage equipment across Zambia's Copperbelt province — and used HOWO dump trucks remain the go-to choice for contractors and logistics operators who need reliable payload capacity without the capital outlay of new equipment. Qingdao Alston Motors Co., Ltd supplies used HOWO units to Zambia and surrounding markets and has tracked rising order volumes tied to the country's mining expansion.
Zambia's 1-Million-Tonne Copper Push
Zambia posted its highest-ever annual copper output of 890,346 tonnes in 2025, an 8 percent year-on-year increase. Kabuswe stated in January that surpassing 1 million tonnes in 2026 is not a target but an expectation. Two major expansions are driving the increase. At the Kansanshi mine — a joint venture majority-owned by Canada's First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and state miner ZCCM-IH — a US$1.25 billion investment has boosted processing throughput and smelter capacity. Kansanshi is now expected to produce an average of 250,000 tonnes of copper annually over the next 18 years, up from 171,000 tonnes in 2024. Meanwhile, Barrick Gold's Lumwana mine is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar expansion that will add significant output once new facilities come online.
Copper accounts for roughly 70 percent of Zambia's export earnings. The IMF projects the country's economy will grow 6.4 percent in 2026, making it one of the ten fastest-growing economies on the continent. Longer-term, the government's National Three Million Tonnes Copper Production Strategy targets a tripling of output by the early 2030s, pointing to sustained and growing demand for mine-site haulage equipment across the Copperbelt region.
What This Means for Dump Truck Demand
Higher copper output requires more rock moved. At FQM's Kansanshi pit alone, nearly 2,700 blast holes are detonated in a single session to loosen ore, and fleets of dump trucks haul the rubble continuously to processing lines. As mines commission new open pits and processing plants, haulage capacity must scale in parallel. For tier-two and tier-three contractors supporting major operations, the cost-effective route is used heavy dump trucks — particularly the HOWO 6x4 dump truck and HOWO 8x4 dump truck, which are well-established on Zambian mine sites and have a wide spare-parts network in Lusaka and Kitwe.
Qingdao Alston Motors Co., Ltd notes that the HOWO 371HP and 336HP configurations — both 6x4 — are among the most requested models from Zambian buyers. These units offer a payload range of 25 to 30 tonnes, sufficient for standard ore and waste-rock hauls on Copperbelt site roads. The 8x4 configuration is preferred for heavier-duty pit work where load requirements push above 30 tonnes. Spare parts support within Zambia has strengthened considerably in recent years, with local dealers in Lusaka and Kitwe holding inventory and providing emergency dispatch to remote mine sites.
Local Sourcing Law Reshapes Fleet Procurement
A new layer of complexity entered Zambia's mining procurement landscape on January 1, 2026, when the government's local-sourcing legislation took effect. The law compels mines to purchase 20 percent of core goods — materials directly used in the mining process — and 100 percent of secondary goods and services from Zambian-owned businesses. The core goods share is set to rise to 40 percent over time. While the law is designed to grow domestic manufacturing across sectors including lubricants, explosives, and PPE, it also creates pressure on fleet operators to structure procurement through Zambian entities. Suppliers who can work with local partners or establish in-country servicing agreements are better positioned to meet ongoing fleet demands.
Qingdao Alston Motors Co., Ltd advises buyers in Zambia to confirm that their local procurement agent or dealer structure is compliant with the new framework before placing orders. Working through a Zambian-registered business for the transaction, even where the trucks themselves are sourced from China, is one practical route to compliance. Full documentation — commercial invoice, bill of lading, inspection certificate, and chassis number verification — remains essential to clear customs at the Lusaka or Ndola entry points without delay.
Buying a Used HOWO for Zambia's Copperbelt
For contractors looking to capitalize on Zambia's copper expansion, a used HOWO 6x4 or 8x4 dump truck offers a proven, cost-effective entry point. Euro II-rated units are acceptable under Zambia's current import framework. Key pre-purchase checks include engine hours, hydraulic cylinder condition, chassis integrity, and axle load-bearing status. Models built on the WD615 engine platform are particularly well-supported in Zambia's aftermarket, with parts available from local dealers and emergency delivery services to Copperbelt sites. Buyers should request a full pre-shipment inspection report and confirm the axle configuration matches their haul route — site roads with steep gradients or soft ground typically call for the 6x4 configuration with reinforced suspension.
Browse available stock at usedhowotrucks.com/howo-dump-trucks/ or view tractor truck options for long-haul routes from the Copperbelt to the port of Dar es Salaam via the TAZARA corridor.
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