Zambia is channeling $6 million into technological advancements with the goal of boosting mineral production and enhancing sustainability, efficiency, and safety within its mining industry. The investment will lead to the creation of the Mining Technology (MinTech) hub, a proposed center designed to serve as a nexus for innovation and cooperative efforts in the mining sector.
The hub will also provide educational and capacity-building programs to promote the integration of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies. Felix Mutati, Zambia’s Minister of Science and Technology, affirmed that the development of a MinTech cluster aligns with the government’s strategy to encourage value addition within the industry.
Addressing attendees at the recent Timbuktoo Retreat Strategy in Cape Town, South Africa, Mutati highlighted Zambia’s status as a significant producer of various minerals, particularly copper. He emphasized the government’s longstanding policy of adding value to the nation’s mining output.
The minister pointed out the government’s ambition to leverage this value addition for the production of electronic car batteries, which necessitates technological innovation and research.
“The MinTech hub will foster solutions in the mining sector that will boost productivity and enable the country to fully capitalize on its vast mineral wealth,” Mutati explained.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is set to finance the establishment of the hub. Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Africa Director, announced the organization’s commitment to work with partners to stimulate investment in the construction and equipping of the hub.
She expressed hope that the private sector, especially those within the mining industry, would recognize the substantial benefits and participate in the initiative.
“We will provide a substantial amount of the necessary technical expertise and procure some of the equipment, anticipating that the private sector, particularly mining companies, will join the effort, as it promises to be greatly advantageous for them,” she stated.
