Hi Emma,
Surprised no one has posted to you yet!
Zambia is a great place. Its quite safe and its very beautiful as well. There is the usual petty crime and you have to be sensible, as any where in the world.
You mentioned a Copper Mine, so you will be on the Copperbelt. The mines really look after their people. I know Kansanshi/Solwezi is great, they have a large estate where people stay. Lumwana is also very professional.
Medical is very good here. I stay in Lusaka and go to Fairview Hospital, no problems, they are very sharp. A friend of mine broke his leg badly and went to the Italian Orthopedic Hospital in Lusaka, they did a brilliant job on repairing it.
The Copperbelt up North is quite a hub of activity with lots of people, so you will not be short of services. I am sure you will have a lovely time in Zambia.
I have a 10 year old daughter who visits me from South Africa, the times I have given her hear and what we have done together will be in our memories forever!
Mark