President Hichilema Addresses 2024 African Mining Indaba in Cape Town
In a keynote address at the 2024 African Mining Indaba held in Cape Town, President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia emphasized the nation’s commitment to becoming a reliable investment partner in the African mining sector.
The President acknowledged the recent passing of Namibian President Hage G. Geingob, extending condolences to the Geingob family and the Namibian people.
President Hichilema highlighted the progress made in Zambia’s mining sector since his last address in 2022. He showcased successful investments, such as the Enterprise Nickel Mine and the expansion of the Kansanshi Mine, applauding the contributions of international entities like First Quantum Minerals and Barrick Gold Corporation.
Expressing gratitude for international confidence in Zambia, the President unveiled the theme for this year’s message: ‘Invest with Confidence: Power the Future.’
He reassured attendees of Zambia’s stable and predictable mining environment, emphasizing the government’s dedication to resolving legacy issues inherited from Mopani Mine and Konkola Copper Mines.
President Hichilema acknowledged the importance of diversification, highlighting Zambia’s efforts in the gemstone sector, specifically emeralds. He underlined ongoing geological mapping exercises to explore rare earths, lithium, gold, manganese, graphite, sugilite, and diamonds.
The President outlined infrastructure projects supporting Zambia’s mining ambitions, including the Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station, the UK-Zambia Green Growth Compact, and the Copperbelt Energy Company’s green bond for renewable energy projects.
He emphasized Zambia’s pivotal role in the global energy transition and called for investment partnerships to meet the rising demand for copper, particularly in electric vehicle batteries.
Closing his address, President Hichilema called on technology firms for geological mapping, financiers for ambitious projects, and energy companies to support infrastructure development.
He reiterated Zambia’s commitment to expanding mining value chains, citing a memorandum of understanding with the Democratic Republic of Congo and the USA to produce electric vehicle batteries locally.
