Zambia’s Emerging Role in the Global Critical Minerals Race
Zambia is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of critical minerals, aligning with global trends toward electrification, digitalization, and green energy. The collaboration with the British Geological Survey adds credibility and technical depth to the findings, which could catalyze investor confidence.
Demand Surge: Why Timing Matters
The projected global demand by 2040 is staggering:
• Lithium: +350%
• Graphite: +130%
• Rare Earth Elements: +65%
• Copper: +40%
Zambia’s proactive stance—accelerating exploration and development—signals readiness to meet this demand, especially as supply chains diversify away from traditional sources.
Key Projects Driving Growth
| Mineral | Project/Company | Status | Strategic Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Kitumba (Sinomine), Kashime (Mimosa), Mingomba (KoBold) | Operational by 2026 | Supports tripling output to 3M tonnes/year |
| Cobalt | Kobaloni Energy refinery | Commissioning by 2025 | Africa’s first cobalt sulphate refinery |
| Manganese | Luongo Mine (Musamu Resources) | Scaling up | Diversifies Zambia’s mineral portfolio |
| Nickel | First Quantum, Mabiza Resources | Expanding | Supports battery supply chains |
| Lithium | First Africa Metals (Choma Belt) | Exploration | High global demand, strategic for EVs |
| Graphite | Petauke, Lundazi, Kapiri Mposhi | Confirmed deposits | Key for energy storage and electronics |
| Rare Earths | Kesya (Antler Gold), Nkombwa Hill (x-RAM Traws) | Exploration | Crucial for high-tech and defense sectors |
| Columbite-Tantalite | Southern & NE Provinces | Active projects | Vital for aerospace and electronics |
Strategic Levers: License Allocation & Investment Promotion
The upcoming African Mining Week panel on Zambia’s licensing strategy is pivotal. It offers a platform to:
- Showcase transparent and investor-friendly frameworks
- Attract FDI for exploration and beneficiation
- Align with ESG and sustainability goals
What This Means for Zambia
- Economic Diversification: Beyond copper, Zambia is building a multi-mineral economy.
- Regional Leadership: With cobalt and copper dominance, Zambia is emerging as a continental anchor in critical minerals.
- Global Relevance: As supply chains shift, Zambia’s deposits could become indispensable to tech, energy, and defense industries.
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