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The European Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have pledged support for Zambia’s mineral value chain through expanded joint ventures between Zambian and European partners, officials said on Wednesday.
Bogdan Stefanescu, the EU’s Team Leader for Social Sectors, Governance and Critical Raw Minerals, praised the government for establishing the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC).
He described the Commission as a key step toward improving mining oversight and promoting value addition.
He made the remarks during a courtesy call on MRC Director General, Tom Hara, according to MRC spokesperson, Michelo Malungisa.
Stefanescu said the EU was implementing €16 million worth of projects in Zambia focused on skills development for artisanal miners, access to justice and company formalisation.
Read more: Mining, energy dominate as ZEMA approves 96 new development projects across Zambia
He added that the bloc was interested in supporting market access for products from Zambia’s critical-minerals value chain, including components for electric vehicle batteries.
He reaffirmed EU’s commitment to mobilising further investment and supporting MRC operations in collaboration with other cooperating partners.
Hara said the MRC was established to strengthen accountability in the mining sector and ensure nationwide compliance through effective monitoring.
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