ZCCM Investments says its investee company, Maamba Collieries (MCL), has been granted two large-scale exploration licences for lithium and other minerals (amethyst, aquamarine, tantalum and tin) in the Southern Province of Zambia.
MCL plans to start exploration “as soon as possible” to determine the presence of the minerals in the licence areas.
ZCCM-IH said the licences are valid for four years, during which period MCL plans to conduct detailed exploration to establish the presence of mineable resources of the various minerals and subsequently proceed to determine the “quantum of resources and reserves if applicable.”
Lithium is part of the critical battery metals that ZCCM-IH has planned to explore in its 2020–2026 strategic plan, it said.
“As such, the granting of the two licences to its investee company contributes to the strategy to diversify the company's mineral commodity base,” said ZCCM-IH.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
