African leaders have called for increased local value addition, faster implementation of mining policies and investment in the Lobito Corridor to create jobs and ensure Africa benefits more from its mineral resources.
Speaking during a plenary session at the Zambia mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka, Zambia’s Acting Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Gilbert Siame, said Africa must move from discussing mining reforms to implementing them.
Dr Siame noted that coordination with other countries on the Lobito Corridor will unlock opportunities for Zambia.
“We are intentional on making value addition an important aspect,” Dr Siame said.
He further stated that the government is also committed to promoting registered and legally compliant small scale mining.
Dr Siame added that small scale mining is an important part of the journey to meeting the three million metric tonnes of copper.
“We want organised, efficient and small-scale artisan mining that will contribute to meeting the target,” he said.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Minister of Mines, Louis Kabamba has called for the implementation of policies in the region.
Mr Kabamba said Africa has had enough talks and it is now time to implement the policies.
“We need action, enough said, talk is cheap, it’s time to implement,” he said.
He further noted Zambia has local manufacturing capabilities and called for collaboration with the DRC.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Ministry of Steel Development Director, Metallurgical Raw Materials Development and Investment Promotion, Ime Ekrikpo, has called on Africa to take control of its mineral wealth and benefit from it.
“Africa should take control of its mineral wealth instead of exporting raw materials and allowing other countries to capture most of the economic benefit,” Mr Ekrikpo said.
He added that to attain value addition, mining has to benefit the communities first.
“Mining has to benefit the communities first, because the moment the communities are made to understand their role and also benefit from it, value addition will be attained,” he said.
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