Zambia Hosts Global Conference on Sustainable Mine Waste Management
Zambia has positioned itself at the centre of the global conversation on sustainable mining practices, hosting the International Conference on Mine Waste Management 2025 under the theme “Advancing Sustainable Solutions for Mine Waste Challenges.”
The three-day symposium, which opened yesterday in Kitwe, brings together international experts from Japan, South Africa and other countries to exchange knowledge on geology, metallurgy, mining, and sustainability. It is jointly organised by the Government of Zambia in partnership with the University of Zambia, the Copperbelt University, and South Africa’s Tshwane University of Technology.
Opening the conference on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha highlighted the need to transform mine waste from a long-standing environmental liability into a strategic national and global asset.
“Behind every contaminated river is a community that can no longer farm or fish. Behind every unsafe tailings dam is a child who walks to school in fear,” the President’s message read, stressing the urgency of science-driven, inclusive and practical solutions.
The Zambian Government outlined four key priorities for the conference:
- Deployment of innovative technologies to recover critical minerals from mine waste
- Establishing frameworks for community participation and benefit-sharing
- Harmonising mine waste management policies across Africa
- Promoting youth empowerment through skills development and knowledge exchange
President Hichilema emphasised that mine waste also represents untapped value, containing critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, manganese and rare earths, which are vital for the global energy transition.
“With modern technology, we can reprocess these wastes, recovering metals once considered lost. This does not only generate revenue but reduces the environmental footprint of mining and creates new jobs for our people,” he said.
The Head of State further declared that Zambia is ready to lead in sustainable mining practices: “As the world races toward a low-carbon future, Zambia stands ready to lead—not just as a supplier of minerals, but as a champion of sustainable mining and circular economies.”
The symposium, officially opened on 1 October, continues this week with discussions aimed at delivering actionable outcomes and strengthening Zambia’s role in shaping Africa’s green mining agenda.
