
09/10/2025
PRESIDENT HICHILEMA REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE AND VALUE-ADDED MINING
By Idah Livingi
Lusaka, Thursday, October 2025 — President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transforming Zambia’s mining industry from a raw mineral exporter into a value-adding and job-creating sector that benefits all citizens.
Speaking during the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka, held under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Wealth Advancing Sustainable Mining, Beneficiation and Value Addition,” President Hichilema said the theme reflects Zambia’s renewed mining agenda aimed at ensuring that mineral wealth translates into tangible prosperity for the people.
“For over a century, copper has defined Zambia’s economy, yet our nation has not fully optimized its capacity to leverage this natural endowment for the prosperity of our people,” he said. “This paradox is unacceptable our citizens deserve value, not poverty.”
The Head of State emphasized that Zambia’s mineral resources must serve as instruments of peace and unity, not conflict or division. He called for continental collaboration in moving from extraction to production, ensuring Africa’s resources generate jobs, industries, and shared prosperity.
President Hichilema outlined the government’s ongoing policy, legal, and institutional reforms in the mining sector, designed to promote safe, transparent, and accountable operations. He added that Zambia is diversifying its mineral portfolio beyond copper to include gold, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and lithium critical minerals driving the global green-energy transition.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s vision to make Zambia a model for responsible and sustainable mining, where every tonne of ore extracted contributes to education, youth empowerment, and national dignity.
“Together, we can turn Zambia’s mineral wealth into a true blessing for generations to come,” President Hichilema said.