HH Urges Mining Licence Holders to Develop Mines

He also disclosed that the country’s geophysical mineral survey will be completed within a month, providing information on Zambia’s mineral deposits to guide investment decisions and attract more investors into the sector.

President HICHILEMA further announced that the Government plans to increase the local content requirement from 20 per cent to 40 per cent.

He urged mining companies to strengthen the development of local suppliers by helping Zambian businesses acquire the skills, capacity and technical expertise needed to provide quality goods and services at competitive prices.

The President said the Government is also committed to expanding skills training opportunities across all 116 districts, with training programmes tailored to the needs of local industries, including mining.

He called on Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo –DRC- and Botswana to collaborate and invest in regional value chains to ensure that the three countries benefit from their mineral resources.

President HICHILEMA said the benefits of mining should extend beyond corporate social responsibility projects to include meaningful employment, skills training and contracts for local suppliers of goods and services.

He also urged mining companies, investors and regulators to prioritise dialogue in resolving disputes rather than resorting to litigation, which he said could delay investment and economic growth.

President HICHILEMA noted that prolonged disputes in Zambia’s mining sector had previously contributed to operational challenges at several major mining assets.

He encouraged investors and mining companies to use the Insaka as a platform for securing concrete business transactions and investment commitments.

Meanwhile, the Government says more than K17 billion is being channelled into local content-related business ventures in the mining sector, creating opportunities for Zambian businesses to participate in the mining supply chain.

Acting Mines and Minerals Development Minister GILBERT SIAME says ongoing reforms are attracting investment, increasing local participation and encouraging the adoption of advanced mining technologies.

Dr. SIAME was speaking at the third Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka, where he said the platform provided an opportunity for the Government, investors and industry players to negotiate deals, address bottlenecks and turn discussions into tangible economic benefits.

Meanwhile, Botswana has proposed joint initiatives with Zambia, including a mining equipment manufacturing campus, a 300-megawatt solar power project and a 150-megawatt battery storage facility.

Botswana Minister of Minerals and Energy BOGOLO JOY KENEWENDO said the two countries are also exploring the development of a mining intelligence platform to link procurement needs with industrial investment.

Democratic Republic of Congo Mines Minister LOUIS WATUM KABAMBA called for greater regional cooperation in copper and cobalt processing, improved cross-border trade and investment in infrastructure, including the Lobito Corridor.

The Chinese Mining Enterprises Association in Zambia also pledged to support the country’s copper production ambitions through investment, mechanisation, digital technologies and environmentally sustainable mining practices.

Meanwhile, Zambia Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer SOKWANI CHILEMBO said increased investment in mineral exploration and new mining projects was essential to boosting future production.

The Mining and Investment Insaka is being held under the theme, Transforming Africa’s Mining Landscape: Regional Value Chains, Shared Prosperity and Empowering Communities.