The Zambian copper mining industry began in the 1920s. Consistent private sector-driven investment in the industry over a period of over 50 years in exploration, mine development and operation, development of minerals processing facilities, building of infrastructure for pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processing, with attendant support facilities, including building of whole new towns, resulted in copper production rising to a peak of 769,000 tons in 1969, providing over 62,000 direct jobs.
Details
- Designer: Gabriel Ellison
- Printer: Harrison & Sons Ltd.
- Process: Photogravure
- Paper:
- Watermark: None
- Perf: 14.5 x 13.5
- Cylinders:
- 1B (Deep Violet), 1B (Copper)
- Sheet:
- Quantity:
The 3n stamps were sold at the Nyimba post office from early June; the earliest known postmark is a dated handstamp dated 13 June 1969.
Half a sheet was purchased by a collector and used on letters posted at the Lusaka and Ridgeway post offices on 11 June 1969. The stamps are cancelled with slogan postmarks:
-
- 8.30am/11 June/1969 – “Buy Home Products” (Ridgeway)
- 12:30pm/11 June/1969 – “Slow Down & Live” (Lusaka)
A circular handstamp was used on letters addressed outside Zambia.
Cylinder Numbers
Sheet Numbers
References
- Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Copper mining in Zambia – history and future
