Global Downturn Shutters Zambian Copper Belt

Excellent story in the Washington Post about how the global downturn is affecting Zambia's copper belt:

A plunge in global trade has slashed demand for the copper used to construct electronics and houses in the United States and Asia. That is prompting mines here to slow and shut, limiting tens of thousands of Zambians' access to schooling, health care and regular meals.

Obviously, the downturn will hit the DRC even harder, since the infrastructure to develop and transport copper is that much more underdeveloped.

Photo Caption: The Indian-owned Konkola Copper Mines in Zambia employs more than 12,000 people, but it plans to lay off nearly 1,100 to cut costs. The mining industry employs 10 percent of Zambia's workforce. (By Karin Brulliard -- The Washington Post)