PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has commended First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for the speedy conclusion and handover of a report of the just ended Geological Aerial Survey.
President Hichilema says this will give an opportunity to the government to know where mineral endowments are located.
He notes that the move will enable the government to package data on the mineral endowment in a bid to open up new mines to accelerate economic development in the country.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State was speaking when FQM presented a report on the outcome of the Aerial Mineral Exploration on the Copperbelt at State House today.
President Hichilema underscored the importance of partnership with other stakeholders in the government’s agenda to foster economic development especially in the mining sector.
He reiterated the need for continued collaboration with other stakeholders in other areas of cooperation in an effort to harness the natural endowments the country is blessed with.
“We are pleased with FQM for partnering with my Government to undertake an Aerial Geological Survey which is aimed at knowing where the minerals are located, this step will enable the Government through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to advise on where more mines can be opened, ” he said.
President Hichilema has since reminded Zambians that his Government is doing things in a stable and civilised manner to create investments and jobs for the Zambian people.
FQM Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pascall said with advice from the Zambian Government to conduct a high resolution Aerial Mineral Exploration on the Copperbelt, his Government did it within 18 months.
He emphasised that the outcome of the aerial geological survey is positive and that the country will ramp up copper production following the quality exploration his company did on the Copperbelt.
Mr Pascal disclosed that FQM funded the exploration exercise in the spirit of enhancing collaboration between his company and Government and that with the mineral endowments, the country remains at the core of embracing and exploiting renewable energy.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe said the objective of the Aerial Geological Survey is to make Zambians understand how much minerals the country is endowed with so that going forward, more mines can be opened.
Mr Kabuswe stated that the essence of the mineral exploration is for the country to promote industrialisation by opening more mines throughout the country in a quest to promote economic growth.
He observed that the country can only plan how best to harness the mining sector once they know how much they are sitting on in terms of minerals through Aerial Geological Survey, like the one FQM has just finished on the Copperbelt Province.
“If any company comes to my Ministry that they want a mining license, the Ministry will know exactly where to issue the license, because of the exploration which has been conducted by FQM, so this step will announce to the rest of the world that Zambia is stepping up the mining sector for more investors to come and establish mines,” he said.
