Zambia Braced For Copper Job Losses

Zambia's finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, says the copper-rich country must brace for job losses.

At his annual budget speech on Friday Mr Musokotwane said the country was "also vulnerable" to the global financial meltdown.

Trade unions have voiced fears that nearly 12,000 jobs will be lost by March, most of them in the southern town of Luanshya where Luanshya Copper Mines has halted operations.

Copper exports account for more than 70 percent of hard currency earnings and Mr Musokotwane said Zambia must strengthen agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.