• COUNTRY IN FOCUS
As Zambia looks to diversify from copper , it is anticipated that more attractive options will be put in place to encourage exploration and development of mines . Formalisation of the ASM sector will further improve the country ' s status and improve the lives of its citizens . •
Geological setting : Zambia is comprised of the Basement Complex , the Muva Supergroup , the Katanga Supergroup and the Karoo Supergroup . Above the Karoo strata are late Mesozoic , Tertiary and Quaternary sediments .
The gold mining sector is underdeveloped , with the Zambia Gold Company Limited ( ZGCL ) being established to develop the sector and to procure ASM-mined gold .
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp is an independent consultant , specialising in geological , geotechnical and geometallurgical projects and mining project management . He has over two decades of industry experience with global exposure . ( ncs . contract @ gmail . com )
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp
Word on the ground : After a visit to Zambia in May this year Dr Steenkamp noted that , based on the fact that an African country – the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) – has now bumped Peru from its spot as number two producer in the world , there is an eagerness to benefit from what Zambia envisages to be a sharp upturn in the demand for copper and a drive to capitalise on this . Attracting private sector and international investors and developers remains high on the ‘ to-do-list ’.
Steenkamp expanded , “ On the other hand , there is a concern that the market in the country is too dominated and reliant on copper and diversification is required . Since the end of nationalisation of the mines , there has been too little exploration in other regions ( provinces outside of the Copperbelt ) and for other commodities . Also noted was the lack of development in the mining sector skills , and the need to improve infrastructure and services was repeated .
“ Outside of the cities and larger towns , poverty in the country is still very visible . However , on a positive note , the agricultural and wildlife preservation sector in the country is getting a lot of support to develop .”
Pexels | Karolina Grabowska
16 • African Mining • September 2023 www . africanmining . co . za