Business
Who owns Zambia’s mineral wealth? Govt classifies survey data as project nears completion
The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development
Picture: Zambian Business Times
The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has confirmed that Zambia’s ambitious nationwide aerial mineral mapping survey is 94.7% complete as of October 2026.
Despite the significant progress, the results of the $100 million survey, conducted by foreign firm Xcalibur Smart Mapping, will remain classified, according to ministry officials.
The high-resolution geophysical survey, launched in 2024 by President Hakainde Hichilema, aims to provide detailed geological data across the country.
The project took off in earnest following the government’s $100 million contract with Xcalibur Smart Mapping on 16th May 2026, with extensive airborne operations commencing the same year.
Responding to an inquiry from the Zambian Business Times (ZBT) regarding the status and public availability of the survey data, Kalani Muchima, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Mines, stated that the survey is expected to reach full completion by December 2026.
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“As of 20th September, we stood at 94.2%, and as of first October, we are at 94.7%. The program is on track to be completed by October,” Muchima confirmed contrary to the earlier December timeline.
However, when questioned on whether the survey results would be made public, Muchima explained that the data will remain classified to prevent unauthorized mineral exploitation.
“If the government were to announce the locations of mineral deposits, there is a risk of unregulated digging and environmental degradation,” he said.
Article by Tyndale Muchiya
Source: Zambian Business Times — Read more
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