Zambia contracts Canadian firm for nationwide aerial geophysical survey

The Zambian government has contracted a Canadian company, X-Caulibar, to conduct a high-resolution aerial geophysical survey across the country.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, announced that the survey would initially cover the Western and North Western Provinces before expanding to all provinces.

Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka on Friday, Kabuswe said the survey would significantly enhance the collection of reliable and up-to-date information, stimulating investment in mineral exploration and mining activities in Zambia.

“The Ministry has developed and is currently implementing a strategy to ramp up copper production to three million tonnes from the current 800,000 tonnes,” Kabuswe reiterated.

He stated that the target was attainable through contributions from Brownfields, which are expected to yield up to 1.5 million tonnes of copper, Greenfields and advanced exploration projects with defined resources of up to 500,000 metric tonnes, mineralized tailing dumps producing up to 150,000 metric tonnes, and the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining subsector contributing up to 50,000 metric tonnes.

Regarding Shaft 28 in Luanshya, Kabuswe mentioned that the water pumping operations commenced in April 2024 at a cost of US$100 million.

Once completed, the project is expected to create approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs and produce 40,000 tonnes of copper per annum.

“This follows the announcement by CNMC in September 2023 that they would be re-opening 28 Shaft as one of their flagship projects, requiring an estimated USD 500 million investment,” Kabuswe said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.