A Milestone for Zambia: Hichilema Celebrates Delivery of Copperbelt High-Resolution Airbourne Survey

In a landmark announcement today, President Hakainde Hichilema revealed the delivery of the 2024 Copperbelt High-Resolution Airborne Survey to the Ministry of Mines, marking a pivotal moment for Zambia's mining and exploration sector. The survey, provided by First Quantum Minerals Ltd (FQM) under the leadership of CEO Tristan Pascall, is a transformative step in unlocking the nation’s untapped mineral wealth.

“We extend our gratitude to FQM for their leadership, partnership, and collaboration with the government in this critical mapping initiative”, Hichilema announced on Facebook. He explained that the initiative will help deepen the understanding of Zambia’s subsurface resource endowment.

This development is part of the government’s geological mapping programme launched in August 2024, aimed at boosting mineral exploration and achieving the goal of three million tonnes of copper production annually by 2031. Advanced aerial geophysical technology has been deployed to identify untapped mineral deposits, starting with the Western and North-Western provinces.

The delivery of the Copperbelt survey signals the beginning of a new phase in this nationwide effort. By providing reliable and high-quality geological data, the survey will attract investors, increase transparency, and accelerate the development of Zambia’s mining sector.

With the support of strategic partnerships like the MoU with the Geological Survey of Finland, the government remains focused on ensuring the quality and reliability of the data generated.

Today’s announcement demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to transforming its mining sector in a new era of growth and opportunity.