Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has concluded his four days engagements in Cape Town, where he also attended 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba.
While at the Indaba President Hichilema who was one of the key speakers, called on the African leaders to put in place deliberate efforts to ensure that there is sustainable development and management of natural resources. He said the African continent is blessed with vast mineral resources that are key drivers of development in most countries.
The President’s keynote address, titled ‘A New Dawn for Zambia’s Mining Sector’, set out very clearly Zambia’s vision for a resilient and sustainable mining industry anchored on Environmental, Social, and Governance standards.
During the trip, Hakainde Hichilema announced two landmark investments by First Quantum Minerals: $1.25 billion to expand production and extend the life of the Kansanshi Mine by 20 years and an additional $100 million investment to bring online the $250 million new Enterprise Nickel Mine.
The Head of State also held bilateral talks with Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi and South Africa’s Cyrill Ramaphosa.
During the separate meetings with his counterparts, President Hichilema stressed the need for enhancing the bilateral relations that Zambia enjoys with each of the two countries citing, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and livestock as some of the sectors that need close collaboration to attain development. The President also engaged with investors and the private sector with the aim of attracting more investment to the country’s economy.
President Hichilema also toured the Zambian pavilion at the Indaba and appreciated the different services that Zambian companies were exhibiting.
