Zambia Shines at Africa Down Under 2025!
Zambia Shines at Africa Down Under 2025!
By Derrick Sinjela and Hellen Bwalya
The Zambia Country Showcase, dubbed “Zambia – The Gem of African Mining”, attracted a diverse audience of global investors and industry stakeholders, who filled the room to hear Zambia’s compelling investment story and network around potential opportunities.
Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, set the tone with a powerful presentation, inviting the global community to visit Zambia and explore its immense mining and energy potential.
Dr. Kabeta implored the world to explore Zambia’s vast mining and energy potential.
In a virtual presentation at the 2025 Africa Down under conference being held in Perth, Australia Dr. Kabeta highlighted nine key successes – expansion of the mining industry in the past four years as a testament of the available investment opportunities in Zambia.
“Copper production rose by 12 percent in 2024, reaching 824,186 metric tons, with current production levels surpassing those of the same period in 2024.
Over 7,500 new jobs were created in the mining sector.
Mining companies like Barrick Lumwana and FQM are reinvesting and committing to their long-term presence in Zambia. Investment in the sector has grown substantially, with notable projects including: i. Barrick Lumwana super pit (over $2 billion), ii FQM S3 Expansion ($1.15 billion), iii. Vedanta investment in KCM asset ($1.5 billion) and iv. Kobold Metals investment ($200 million, with over $2 billion earmarked for Mingomba Mine development).
Further, Dr. Kabeta alluded to ongoing efforts to formalize unlicensed community mining with over 1,200 Artisanal Mining Rights (AMRs) issued in the last four years (2021-2025) as a .
Dr. Kabeta cited significant investments needed to meet the growing demand for copper and cobalt, noting opportunities existing for mining lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements.
An optimistic Dr. Kabeta noted potential for refining, smelting, and manufacturing, creating opportunities for downstream processes.
Dr. Kabeta assured investors that the Zambian government is supporting exploration through a nationwide geophysical airborne survey and data availability.
Leading a Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM -IH-PLC) team, which included Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Kakenenwa Muyangwa, Board Chairperson, Phesto Musonda emphasised the company’s strong footprint across mining and energy.
Courting investors, both in-person and virtual, to partner with ZCCM -IH-PLC, Mr. Musonda alluded to a proven competence, global linkages, and capacity to sustainably unlock Zambia’s mineral wealth for stakeholders and the nation.
Musonda highlighted opportunities in greenfield and brownfield projects, particularly in gold, coal, and copper.
In a welcome message, Zambia’s High Commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, Reverend Dr. Elias Munshya officially invited investors to come to Zambia, a country offering the most essential tools for investment success — peace, visionary leadership, and a thriving economy.
“Zambia continues to tell a strong and compelling story to the global investment community.
Zambia offers three non-negotiables for investment success:Peace. Leadership. And Opportunity. Zambia’s new geological survey efforts, mining potential, and regulatory evolution guarantee a win-win outcome for everyone.
This is the Zambia we represent. This is the Zambia we believe in.
And this is the Zambia we are inviting the world to invest in,” said Rev. Dr. Munshya.
Boasting a market capitalisation of over USD 1 billion, Ambassador Rev. Dr. Munshya branded the ZCCM -IH-PLC story as one of transformation, ambition, and alignment with President Hakainde Hichilema’s New Dawn economic vision.
They highlighted tangible opportunities in greenfield and brownfield projects across copper, gold, and coal—inviting serious investment partnerships.
On his part, Mr. Mwelwa Manda, Country Manager – Prospect Resources, presented a high-level overview of the strides Prospect Resources has made at the exploration stage.
Mr. Jeff Foster, Non-Executive Director – Beltz Mining Ltd, followed with a presentation on Beltz Mining’s current activities and development milestones achieved so far.
The networking event concluded with a strategic panel discussion featuring, Mr. Muyangwa, Mr. Sam Hosack, Managing Director – Prospect Resources, Dr. Kabeta, and Ms. Nkandu Beltz, CEO – Beltz Mining Ltd.
On her part, Ms. Beltz appreciated the insightful panel for exploring Zambia’s mineral landscape, ongoing nationwide aerial geological surveys, and reinforcing why Zambia is an ideal priceless investment destination of choice for both established and new investors.
The upcoming Mining Insaka was spotlighted as a must-attend platform for networking, collaboration, and unlocking Zambia’s mining opportunities.
“The room was filled with global investors, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners, each eager to hear what Zambia has to offer,” recollected Ms. Beltz on the first day of a three-day Wednesday 3rd – Friday 5th September, 2025 Zambia Country Showcase.
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