The Mining Appeals Tribunal (“the Tribunal”) will hold its inaugural sittings on 14th September 2026, marking the full operationalization of Zambia’s dedicated forum for resolving mining-related disputes.
The milestone delivers on Government’s commitment to guarantee access to justice for investors, mining rights holders, communities and other stakeholders who may be affected by decisions arising from the administration and regulation of mineral resources by the Minerals Regulation Commission (“the Commission”).
The Tribunal was first established by law under the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2015, however although members of the Tribunal were initially appointed under the 2015 Act, the Tribunal was not operationalized.
Following the enactment of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act No. 14 of 2024, which repealed and replaced the 2015 Act, members of the Tribunal were appointed and its offices established. Under this framework, the Tribunal’s jurisdiction covers disputes relating to decisions of the Commission and misconduct within the mining sector.
Since its appointment, the Tribunal has undertaken foundational work necessary for its effective functioning, including the establishment of administrative systems, processes and procedures for the receipt, management and determination of appeals. This preparatory phase has laid the institutional groundwork for the Tribunal to commence the hearing and determination of matters brought before it.
As a specialized adjudicative body, the Tribunal provides a dedicated forum for the timely, fair and consistent resolution of disputes arising within the mining sector.
The availability of a specialized Tribunal is also expected to contribute to greater certainty and predictability in the mining investment environment.
This is particularly significant as Zambia pursues the Presidential ambition of increasing copper production to three million metric tones by 2031. A credible and efficient dispute resolution mechanism is an important component of a stable mining investment environment.
By facilitating the timely determination of appeals, the Tribunal will contribute to reducing delays that may affect the continuity, development and expansion of mining projects, thereby supporting the broader objective of growing the mining sector and increasing copper production.
The commencement of sittings on 14th September 2026 therefore marks not only the beginning of the Tribunal’s adjudicative work, but also an important step in the continued development of Zambia’s mining governance framework. The Tribunal looks forward to discharging its mandate in a manner that promotes confidence in the dispute resolution process and to contribute to a stable, predictable and responsible mining sector.
