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Zambia and Botswana are exploring strategic partnerships in contract mining, coal trade and energy investments aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting growth in the mining sector.
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, said the two countries had identified key areas for further engagement, including a possible joint venture between Botswana’s Naledi Mining Services and ZCCM-IH in contract mining at Mopani Copper Mines.
Kabeta said this during a meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka 2026 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
“Naledi had submitted an expression of interest or bid for contract mining at Mopani, emphasising that any potential partnership would have to respect the established procurement process,” he said.
Kabeta said the two countries were also exploring the potential supply of high-grade coal from Botswana to Zambia, with ZCCM-IH expected to conduct due diligence to establish the commercial viability of the proposed arrangement.
He said the proposed coal trade could also be linked to Botswana’s clean energy initiative, which seeks to promote alternative energy solutions and help address deforestation associated with charcoal production in Zambia.
ZCCM-IH Chief Executive Officer, Kakenenwe Muyangwa, said the company was seeking strategic partners capable of bringing technology, capital and international expertise to expand investments in the mining and energy sectors.
“Reliable electricity supply was critical to increasing mineral production and ensuring efficient mining operations,” Muyangwa said.
He said ZCCM-IH had diversified into the energy sector, holding a 33.5 percent stake in Copperbelt Energy Corporation and a 35 percent interest in Mamba Energy.
Muyangwa said Mamba Energy was currently generating 300 megawatts of baseload power and 100 megawatts of solar power, with its baseload generation capacity expected to increase to 600 megawatts by mid-2027.
“ZCCM-IH had also invested in the Emagro Energy project, which is targeting an initial generation capacity of 300 megawatts and is expected to begin production in the first half of 2027,” he said.
On mineral diversification, Muyangwa said ZCCM-IH was positioning itself to become a major player in the gold sector, following a Government mandate to help organise artisanal miners in Mufumbwa.
He said the initiative aimed to bring order to artisanal gold mining through improved organisation and formalisation, with the model potentially being replicated in other parts of the country.
“The influx of large numbers of miners into Mufumbwa had created challenges due to inadequate water, sanitation and other essential facilities, underscoring the need for an organised and sustainable approach,” Muyangwa said.
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He expressed confidence that the initiative could become a significant contributor to the national economy over the next three years, while highlighting the ongoing nationwide aerogeophysical survey expected to enhance understanding of Zambia’s mineral potential.
Meanwhile, Naledi Mining Services Chief Executive Officer, Bokang Thitoyamore, called for the adoption of innovative contract mining models to reduce operational costs, improve workplace safety and increase productivity.
“Naledi has adopted a hybrid contracting model that breaks conventional mining contracts into different work packages, enabling activities such as labour management, plant operations and equipment maintenance to be handled more efficiently,” he said.
Thitoyamore said the approach had generated reported savings of approximately US$500 million against an original contract valued at about US$600 million, and had improved productivity by reducing operational bottlenecks.
He said the firm was expanding its presence across Africa, with engagements in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, as well as an agreement with Côte d’Ivoire. The company had also been engaging local businesses in the Copperbelt and Northern provinces on financing, corporate governance and business management.
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