President Hichilema gives key note speech at Mining Indaba. Credit: Hakainde Hichilema Facebook Page
President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed hope in the potential of the Zambian mining sector, despite the prevalence of continued issues in the industry.
President Hichilema attended the Africa Mining Indaba, held in Cape Town, South Africa. The event attracts dignitaries and key stakeholders in the mining industry across Africa. This year, the theme for the indaba is Evolution of African Mining: Investing in the Energy Transition, ESG, and the Economies.
President Hichilema gave a key note speech at the opening of the indaba where he spoke on his hopes for the mining industry in Zambia and what can be done to grow it.
In his address, the president touched on many pertinent issues affecting the mining sector in Zambia today, including corruption and resource nationalism, among others.
“We want to invest in job creation without resource nationalism. We want citizens to play an important role in the value chain of mining. The mining sector remains critical to the development of the African continent,” President Hichilema said.
“If managed properly, mining is key to our development,” he added in his address.
The President also spoke on the untapped potential of the mining sector in Africa, saying we can no longer rely on potential.
“This calls for deliberate efforts on the part of African leaders and our partners to ensure sustainable development and management of these resources,” the President said.
“We are tired of singing the song of potential; we want to realize that potential to alleviate poverty on the continent. There should be no excuses, we just need to get the job done,” he added.
President Hichilema went on to affirm that Zambia is open for business across the continent, citing the recent deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he said shares 70% of the world’s cobalt deposits, together with Zambia.
President Hichilema pictured with other dignitaries in attendance at the Africa Mining Indaba. Credit: Hakainde Hichilema Facebook Page
The President also touched on the issues of issuance of mining rights, which he said had been suspended.
“We have put the issuance of mining rights on halt because of corruption which had hit the mining sector and we categorically stated that this is beneficial to both our country and any other investor,” he said.
“Soon, we will start the issuance of mining rights will be begin taking shape and will give every citizen an opportunity to take part in this exercise which will lead to jobs and business opportunities.”
The president also emphasized that it is important to involve local Zambians in the mining sector.
“We also have immense potential in the artisanal side and small scale side because this is important for the locals,” President Hichilema said.
Meanwhile, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has announced that they will inject a further 1.25 billion dollars in the expansion of the copper mining sector, which the President says will lead to more jobs and business opportunities.
President Hichilema delivers his key note speech at the African Mining Indaba. Credit: Hakainde Hichilema Facebook Page
