Street lighting project in Kalomo commences
AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry, at the AU commission Albert Muchanga, says the initiative by Zambia and the DRC is vital towards attaining investment in the mineral development value chain for sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2024 investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, Mr Muchanga emphasized the need for other African countries to emulate Zambia and the DRC, if the region is to embrace value addition to their natural resources.
He noted that African countries need to consider going beyond ordinary mining and come up with strategies that promote processing, refinery in order to reduce Greenhouse Emission.
Mr Muchanga explained that through embarking on value addition to the natural resources, Africa will also broaden its value addition chain in the vast natural and minerals development sectors.
He explained that Africa is endowed with strategic green minerals that the world needs for energy transition to reduce the effects of climate change.
“Out of the 20 critical minerals that the world needs in its energy transition African countries are the top three producers of minerals such as cobalt, manganese, lithium, titanium among many others,” he stressed.
He noted that this is why countries in the African region need to harness their own minerals and use them towards achieving sustainable economic and social development in line with Africa’s strategy on mining.
“We need to devise ways and means that hinder leveraging Africa’s vast mineral resources and balance the trajectory of inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent,” he added.
Mr Muchanga further pointed out that communities in mining areas should benefit from mining activities by ensuring that the activities are mainstreamed in economic plans and also tax revenues.
And Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe echoed Mr Muchanga’s sentiment of ensuring that local people benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
Mr Kabuswe explained that government is currently putting in place stringent measures of ensuring that Zambians are part of the minerals development value chain.
He called for meaningful partnership and ensuring that the mining industry is well structured to discourage illegalities.
He also announced that Zambia and the DRC have recorded significant progress towards actualizing the car battery manufacturing initiative, adding that a battery council has already been established to spearhead the process between the two countries.
Mr Muchanga
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