Zambia and France have signed a 500,000 Euros worth Memorandum of Understand (MoU) aimed at supporting the enhanced geological survey and data management system in Zambia.
French Inter-ministerial delegate from the office of the Prime Minister, Benjamin Gallezot signed on behalf of France while Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta signed on behalf of the Zambian government.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the investing in African Mining in Cape town, South Africa, Mr Gallezot praised Zambia for the good policies in its mining sector that are good for doing business.
He explained that the French government is interested in developing strategic cooperation that will benefit ordinary people in both countries.
“This is an exciting time for us, we are happy that we have finally signed this MoU with Zambia, a country that has good policies and good environment for doing business, this is why we want to develop partnerships that will bring about downstream benefits to the local people,” he stressed.
He noted that one such key component of ensuring that communities benefit from the country’s resources is improving the geological survey in critical minerals.
Mr Gallezot added that his country will remain resolute to support the growth of Zambia’s geological survey with financial support to improve its capacity in undertaking effective geological mappings.
Dr Kabeta said government remains committed to developing strategic partnerships that will enhance growth and ensure that people benefit from the country’s natural resources.
Dr Kabeta explained that the mining industry is the country’s economic backbone, hence the government is delighted to establish partnerships that will make a positive impact on the country’s employment agenda, foreign exchange earnings and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He added that with the ambitious project that the government has embarked on, undertaking airborne geological physical surveys in the country will help improve its data storage and management on mineral resources in line with global trends.
“We are excited to start this journey with you by signing this MoU as you know mining is our priority sector it is the backbone of the our economy through its contribution to GDP, exports earns and job creation so we have to manage it well, that is why we want partnerships that will benefit people from exploration to exploitation and value addition’’ he stated.
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Director of Geological Survey Gerald Mwila, said the support highlighted three critical areas of establishing a geological data inventory, creating an online geological library and portal and also supporting the capacity building of Geological Survey in data management.
