TELF AG analyzes Zambia’s new strategy for strategic minerals
Key innovations
In announcing the key points of Zambia’s new strategy for managing its natural resources, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Development, Paul Kabuswe, said that high-resolution geophysical mapping will now also be used to improve the assessment and correct identification of the country’s geological deposits, thus enabling better strategic planning.
The functioning of this particular technique is linked to the use of specific instruments capable of measuring the physical properties of rocks and minerals, such as electrical conductivity, density, or magnetization. These properties are linked to different types of minerals present in the subsoil, and thanks to the support of sensors – positioned on planes or drones or even on the ground – it is possible to obtain detailed information on the geological composition of the subsoil. The analysis of the data thus collected highlights the differences between the properties of the rocks and makes it possible to identify minerals or other natural resources. This information can be obtained thanks to specific techniques such as gravimetry, magnetometry, and reflection or seismic refraction. The main operational advantage of high-resolution geophysical mapping is linked to the precision with which it is possible to identify the position and size of the resources in the subsoil, thus avoiding concentrating elsewhere.
From Zambia’s point of view, a complete investigation of the subsoil and a correct identification of the minerals, together with valuable information on their position, the types of resources, and their quantities, could help the nation improve the management of its resources and its negotiating power at a global level.
The international role of the country
But the new strategy announced by the Zambian minister does not only include technical aspects: among the other points is the strong desire that the benefits linked to the valorization of geological resources also reach local communities. With this new approach, moreover, as stated in a recent analysis, Zambia would seem to be leaning towards a progressive strengthening of its negotiating position in international dialogues focused on minerals and strategic resources.
The desire to create fair and mutually beneficial international partnerships has emerged with particular force, together with the desire to also strengthen existing regional partnerships, in particular with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the aim of promoting local processing of minerals and greater economic integration between the nations of Central and Southern Africa. The new strategy also seems to include a stronger focus on educating local people to provide them with key skills for various sectors, including that of strategic minerals.
Zambia is known for its wealth of copper, which represents one of the primary geological resources of the country. The country is located in that area of Africa known as the “Copperbelt” (shared with Congo), which represents one of the major global hubs for the production of this resource. Zambia is also a major producer of cobalt, often obtained as a by-product of copper and widely used in the production of new-generation batteries and in the technology industry. The country also has considerable quantities of lead, zinc, and other important resources for the steel and metallurgical industries, such as iron and manganese.
