State urges diversification from copper to other minerals
Published On September 19, 2017 » 1721 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Business, Stories
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By JULIUS PHIRI  –
GOVERNMENT has reiterated on the need to diversify from Copper mining to other minerals to tap into the abundant resources in the country.
Ministry of Mines and Development acting Permanent Secretary Gideon Ndalama said there was need to diversify from mining copper to other development minerals including other sectors of the economy such as Tourism, Manufacturing, Construction and Agriculture.
Mr Ndalama said during a business management training of trainer’s workshop in Chipata yesterday that the development minerals were a deliberate target for the diversification agenda as they were in abundance across the country.
He said the development of minerals can be used for Construction, Agriculture and Manufacturing.
Government was making efforts in supporting the growth of a diversified and resilient economy to increase revenue and improve employment prospects for its citizens.
Mr Ndalama said in contrast to base metals and precious minerals such as Copper, Emerald and Gold, development minerals have closer links with the local economy.
He said the country was endowed with mineral resources and the sector benefits local business enterprises, mining companies and the economy as a whole.
Mr Ndalama said development minerals have the potential to stimulate economic activities and generate more local jobs with a greater impact on poverty reduction.
Other than Copper and Cobalt , the country  was endowed with other mineral resources among them development minerals which have not been fully tapped into.
He said the untapped minerals included limestone, granite, graphite, phosphate, sand,clay, gypsum, feldspar, dimension stone and semi precious gemstones.
“As part of the efforts to unlock the potential of the development mineral sector,the ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement minerals programmes which aims to build the profile and improve management of development minerals,” he said.
Mr Ndalama said Zambia, like other African Country’s  need to invest in skills to improve the sector’s performance.

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