By Jeff Kapembwa
The much touted Zambia Mining Insaka which opened and ended in Lusaka early October, has paved the way for the country’s potential actualization of the Green Growth Strategy-a pathway for climate change insulation.
The Green Growth Strategy was launched in Zambia two years ago by then Green Economy and Environment Minister Collins Nzovu, arguably as a stepping stone for address environmental degradation, climate change impacts, and non-inclusive economic growth.
The six-year-2024-30-strategy if actualised, will strive to transition the country to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and resilient economy that also achieves social inclusion and meets its development goals for 2030.
In mitigating, and allowing Zambia offset shocks, the strategy will be a shield against prolonged droughts and floods that have impacted agriculture, food security, and hydropower generation, while leaving the environment unproductive and uninhabitable.
As part of the Eighth National Development Plan, and a commitment under the Paris Agreement, it will further act as a driver of the country’s economic development goals while minimizing environmental damage and ensuring that natural assets continue to support well-being.
Against the background, stakeholders drawn from within and across the globe, including reputed mining companies, Angola American Corp., owners of the Mingoma Copper Project, after the October 6-10 meeting resolved to undertake commitments to induce Zambia maximize its potential to tap into critical minerals, lithium, cobalt among others-all critical to Green Energy Transition-part of the strategy.
The planned diversification into critical minerals forms parts of the creation and attainment or transition into a green economy and drives economic growth through value addition, creating jobs, and diversifying its mineral processing capabilities to become a key player in the global clean energy supply chain.
Zambia, one of the countries across Africa grossly affected by climate change is struggling to offset the calamity. Zambia will seek to leverage its critical minerals to fight climate change.
This is tenable through the provision of materials for a global energy transition, using revenues to fund green projects, and participating in the entire mineral value chain, not just raw material extraction.
The country can achieve this by developing its processing and manufacturing capabilities, investing in renewable energy to power its own mining sector, and creating skilled jobs.
By developing its own mineral processing industries, Zambia can move beyond being a raw material exporter to become a key player in the production of clean energy technologies.
This will involve establishing new processing facilities, increasing production of minerals like copper, cobalt, and manganese, strengthening the regulatory framework for mining, and fostering public-private partnerships to attract investment and ensure benefits reach citizens.
The planned geological mapping, which President Hakainde Hichilema was elated with and is pushing for its quick inception as a rider to discovering hidden minerals and diversifying from traditional copper mining, is a game changer in the fight against climate change.
The planned Geological mapping expected to kick off in the shortest possible term, will be an enabler in Zambia’s fight against climate change.
It will allow the provision of crucial data for water management, land restoration, and assessing the country’s natural resources.
It will seek to provide detailed mapping of aquifers to ensure water security and support irrigation, as well as mapping degraded land to guide forest and farmland restoration projects.
By understanding the sub-surface, Zambia can also develop more effective climate adaptation strategies and potentially harness critical minerals for the green energy transition.
Although the undertaking was perceived from a narrow lens, the national geological mapping program will help existing and potential investors, Zambians alike, better understand the country’s mineral deposits and benefit and give direction towards the country’s growth trajectory.
President Hichilema on14 August 2024 launched the aerial mapping Survey, stating that geological mapping is vital for Zambia’s economy and environment, as it will help identify mineral resources, detect underground water for irrigation, and formalize mining to ensure benefits reach the public.
The survey will seek to update the country’s geological knowledge, which was last comprehensively mapped over 50 years ago with less advanced technology.
The survey aims to attract investment by providing detailed, reliable data, while also ensuring that the nation’s wealth benefits its citizens rather than a few individuals.
By identifying mineral deposits, the government can strategically develop the mining sector to drive economic growth and create jobs.
Mines minister Paul Kabuswe disclosed to delegates that converged at the ZAMI conference about Zambia’s intensifying of the geological mapping and exploration activities across the country to open new mining frontiers and boost mineral production, as part of efforts to transform Zambia into a leading global mining destination.
Minister Kabuswe said the President Hichilema-Government was resolved to building a transparent, sustainable, and inclusive mining sector.
The government’s long-term objective is to increase copper production to three million tons by 2031, while promoting beneficiation and value addition to ensure minerals contribute more significantly to national wealth and that the government would actualize its thoughts to better the country.
“These are steps we are already implementing together with our partners in the private sector and cooperating institutions,” he said at the conference dubbed: “Mining Beyond Copper – Celebrating 100 Years of Mining in Zambia,”
Minister Kabuswe was optimistic about the Government meeting the 1 million+ copper output target boosted by ongoing projects.
He cites the S3 expansion at First Quantum Minerals and the drilling program at Ming’omba Mine in Chililabombwe.
The conference-held since 2024, builds on that momentum, deepening discussions on unlocking value from Africa’s critical minerals and strengthening regional mineral value chains to ensure mining remains a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.