Mingomba Mine Flagship Project For Zambia, US Partnership – President Hichilema
President Hakainde Hichilema says Mingomba mine project should continue anchoring the Zambia – US relationship. The President was speaking when a delegation from KoBold Metals paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.
KoBold Metals, an American mining firm, owns 80 percent of shares in Mingomba mine in Chililabombwe. The other 20 percent shareholding stake in the mine is owned by ZCCM-Investment Holdings, on behalf of the government of Zambia. KoBold Metals global chief executive officer Kurt House led the delegation. KoBold Metals Africa chief executive officer Mfikeyi Makayi and ZCCM-IH board chairperson Phesto Musonda also attended the meeting.
President Hichilema reiterated that upon assuming office in August 2021, the top agenda of the UPND-led government was to reconstruct the economy and the mining sector was one which offered more promise by sheer size, given Zambia’s mining history. “But also given that we already had brown fields that were in a comatose situation and needed to be brought into production. A lot of them were hosting idle assets … we are very happy that Mingomba now can be our flagship project or business to represent the US – Zambia partnership. It is important that we angle it that way,” the President said.
He added that relationships among countries have a life of their own. President Hichilema said leaders in the US and in Zambia come and go but the two countries’ relationship endures. “The American and Zambian people chose to work together 60 plus years ago … It is our duty, those of us who are now in these roles, to keep this partnership going … Mingomba is the one that will rejuvenate our partnership, said President Hichilema.
Mr House announced that mining construction (shaft sinking) at Mingomba mine will start next year. “We would like to invite you to be our honoured guest at the ground-breaking ceremony, probably in quarter two next year … In the last two and half years, we have drilled over 120, 000 metres at the Mingomba mine project. That is 120 kilometres. To put it in perspective, that is actually more drilling than had been completed at the legacy Lubambe licence, since Zambia’s independence,” he said.
Mr House added that Mingomba is one of the greatest undeveloped copper deposits in the world. “We are extremely confident that it will become Zambia’s largest copper mines and one of the largest copper mines in Africa – if not the largest copper mine in Africa,” said Mr House.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe said: “it is an exciting time that we will be able to see such a huge mine being opened … this speaks to the President’s vision of embracing joint ventures and new technology,” he said.