Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka Highlights Opportunities for Mineral Value Addition and Local Manufacturing
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Industry leaders at the Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka (ZAMII) have called for greater investment in domestic mineral processing, local manufacturing and regional cooperation to ensure that Zambia and its neighbours capture more economic value from their mineral resources.
The discussion took place during a panel session on local beneficiation at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. Moderated by Eng. Sokwani W. Chilembo, Chief Executive Officer of the Zambia Chamber of Mines, the session explored opportunities to strengthen regional mineral value chains, expand local fabrication and unlock the economic potential of gold and other critical minerals.
Strengthening Regional Mineral Value Chains
Speaking on regional integration, Mr. Lv Yanlong, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Chambishi Copper Smelter Co., Ltd., highlighted the strategic importance of cooperation between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in mineral processing.
He emphasised that shared refining and processing capacity could help both countries retain greater economic value from their mineral resources, strengthen cross-border industrial partnerships and support the development of regional supply chains.
Gold as a Strategic National Asset
Mr. Andrew Mukupa Katandula, Managing Director of Minera Refineries Zambia Limited, underscored the importance of managing gold as a strategic national asset rather than primarily as an export commodity.
Highlighting the company’s reported refining capacity to produce bullion at 99.99% purity, Mr. Katandula outlined a proposed two-year plan to formalise artisanal gold mining, introduce targeted pre-financing mechanisms and address discrepancies between reported domestic production and trading activity in foreign markets.
These measures, he noted, could contribute to improved traceability, greater transparency and stronger domestic value retention in the gold sector.
Expanding Downstream Industrial Applications
Mr. Norman Mbazima, Chairman of Valterra Platinum and a seasoned mining executive, called for greater domestic utilisation of precious metals, including gold and platinum, in coinage, jewellery and industrial applications.
He also highlighted the commercial considerations that influence the supply of minerals to local manufacturers, including freight costs, gate-pricing arrangements and the need to establish sustainable frameworks that enable primary producers to supply domestic fabricators and wire-and-cable manufacturers.
Expanding these downstream industries presents an opportunity to strengthen local industrial capacity, create employment and develop businesses that benefit from Zambia’s mineral wealth beyond the extraction stage.
Turning Mineral Wealth into Industrial Growth
The discussion concluded with an interactive exchange in which participants reflected on Zambia’s industrial history, recalling periods when the country manufactured products such as bicycles, tyres and vehicle components.
Contributors stressed the need to translate regional and continental commitments on mineral beneficiation into practical initiatives that support investment, technology transfer, skills development and competitive domestic industries.
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of an economic agenda focused on measurable outcomes and retaining a greater share of the value generated from the country’s natural resources.
For Zambia, advancing mineral beneficiation and downstream manufacturing remains an important opportunity to diversify the economy, strengthen industrial capacity and increase the contribution of the mining sector to broader national development.
The panel discussion at ZAMII reinforced the need for collaboration among government, mining companies, processors, manufacturers and other stakeholders to turn these opportunities into tangible economic outcomes.
About the Zambia Chamber of Mines
The Zambia Chamber of Mines is the representative body for the large-scale mining and allied industries in Zambia, working to promote a sustainable, competitive and responsible mining sector that contributes to the country’s economic development.
