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Government has described a new mineral processing investment in Luapula Province as a major milestone in the region’s pursuit of industrialisation, value addition, and job creation.
Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Kangwa, said the project represented the first successful large-scale mineral processing initiative in the province and reflected government’s commitment to transforming Zambia’s natural resources into economic growth at source.
She made the remarks on Wednesday when she received a delegation from Musamu Resources Ltd, a Zambian-owned large-scale mining company, and Japan’s Hanwa Company Limited, led by Founder and Executive Chairperson, Dr. Sixtus Mulenga during a courtesy call.
The mine, officially launched in November 2022 by President Hakainde Hichilema, has a JORC2012-classified resource of about 40 million tonnes at an average grade of 43 percent, with production expected to reach 1 million tonnes of manganese ore per year by year five.
“The investment will ensure manganese is no longer transported out of the province in raw form but processed locally, stimulating new industries and attracting further investment,” Kangwa said.
She commended Dr. Mulenga for successfully converting a 12-year mineral exploration programme into the country’s first wholly indigenous large-scale manganese mine, located in Chipili District, Luapula Province.
Kangwa also highlighted the resilience of local entrepreneurship in unlocking Luapula’s mineral wealth, noting that the province’s resources had remained underutilised for decades.
She assured investors of government’s full support and cited improved electricity supply following the commissioning of the 50-megawatt Mabumba Solar Power Plant, which has enhanced power stability across the province.
“The Pensulo 330KV transmission project will further reinforce Luapula’s integration into the national grid and provide increased capacity to support large-scale industrial operations,” she added.
Kangwa further announced that preparations for the Luapula Business Exposition, scheduled for April 2026, were already underway as the government continued to engage stakeholders in showcasing investment opportunities in mining, agriculture, energy, and tourism.
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She noted that the project aligned with President Hichilema’s national agenda of value addition and industrial development, supported through strategic partnerships such as Zambia’s critical minerals cooperation with Japan.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mulenga said the investment fulfilled the bilateral agreement signed between Zambia and Japan during President Hichilema’s visit to Tokyo, aimed at strengthening collaboration in critical minerals development.
“Musamu Resources is positioned to supply large tonnages of manganese ore on a long-term contractual basis, further contributing to the province and national economy,” he said.
The delegation from Hanwa Company Limited included Johannesburg Branch General Manager, Rammaru Suzuki and Kai Mizuguchi from the Primary Metal Department in Tokyo.
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