Invest more in exploration - Musukwa

STAKEHOLDERS in the mining industry should spend more on exploration works to guarantee the future of the sector, Mines and Mineral Development Minister Richard Musukwa has said.

Mr Musukwa said exploration was key in the growth of the mining sector.

He said during the official opening of the Association of Zambian Mineral Exploration Companies (AZMEC) Explorer's Forum in Lusaka that the number of pending certificates of exploration licenses had increased in the recent years.

“This shows that the sector is going in the right direction. Government will work to ensure that we create an enabling environment for explorers in order to ensure that the industry thrives," said Mr Musukwa.

Mr Musukwa said licence holders who were doing their exploration and abiding by the laws of the country had nothing to fear.

He also emphasised the need to promote sustainable mining in the country.

And speaking at the same event, AZMEC president Geoffrey Mulenga said exploration was often underappreciated as a means by which the mining industry could be sustainable.

Mr Mulenga said a vibrant mineral exploration environment in ensuring sustainability of the mining sector was important.

"Zambia has had a long history of exploration which commenced as far back as the early 1990s and our wish as AZMEC is to see that continue. We are confident that this will be the case given your government continues providing a condusive environment for exploration," he said.