ZIMEC 2023 Spotlight on the UK-Zambia Partnership & Zambia’s Growing Status as a Top African Mining Investment Destination

The 11th Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (ZIMEC) taking place in Kitwe in Zambia’s Copperbelt on November 1st and 2nd 2023, is set to showcase why there is growing optimism and confidence in Zambia as a top African and global mining investment destination.  The event which is already the largest and most established mining and energy industry event in Zambia, will offer delegates valuable opportunities to network, form partnerships and draw vital insights on the country’s dynamic investment landscape with discussions among leading industry stakeholders exploring opportunities for the sustainable development of the mining and energy sectors in Zambia and the region. Growing global interest and investment in Zambia will be in focus throughout the event with participation from top mining investment source countries including the United Kingdom whose High Commissioner to Zambia, Ambassador Nicholas Woolley is set to speak on among others, the new targets for the UK-Zambia Green Growth Compact announced during the recent visit to Zambia by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. The compact on green investment, clean energy and critical minerals aims to drive some 3 billion pounds worth of investment in Zambia’s green economy, tackling climate change, creating employment and new business opportunities in both countries.

Conveniently located at the Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe at the nexus of Zambia’s mining economy, delegates attending the event can expect to meet and engage senior government officials, industry experts and top representatives of local and international mining and energy companies. The conference will be co-located with an industry exhibition that has traditionally attracted leading national, regional, and international brands. The fast-growing prospects for critical minerals such as copper and cobalt, found in the Central African Copperbelt covering Zambia and the DRC as well as the broader region will be central to deliberations unpacking the timely theme, “Investing in Zambia, Mine to Market, Clean Energy and the Sustainable Development of Future Minerals”. Speakers and delegates will track mining and energy sector trends, developments, and opportunities both locally and globally including strategies and collaborative approaches to advance the ambitious electric vehicle battery value chain plans set out by the governments of Zambia and the DRC.

Top sessions at the conference will include a keynote panel on the main conference theme set to explore the relationship between clean energy and the sustainable development of future minerals. Future minerals also known as critical minerals include lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and other rare earths. These minerals are essential components in most of the rapidly growing clean energy technologies from wind turbines, solar systems, electric vehicles, and power networks. The International Energy Agency estimates that demand for these minerals will double from 2020 levels by 2040. The session will explore investment opportunities and the case for a well-developed mine to market value chain to take full advantage of these minerals and create value in Zambia.

Other sessions on mining will cover what needs to be in place to promote the exploration and sustainable development of future minerals; Zambia’s progress towards the 3 million metric tonnes per annum copper production target; the vital role of finance and investment in mining; developing local content and the ASM sector; value creation and industrialisation along the mine to market value chain as well as the outlook for digital transformation, transport, and infrastructure in mining. The recent positive resolution of the dispute between Zambia and Vedanta Resources over Konkola Copper Mines will also be part of the conversation demonstrating the government’s pragmatic commitment to promoting investment in mining.

Zambia’s clean energy development drive will also form part of key discussions during the two-day conference with a flagship session on the energy transition and funding the acceleration. There will also be sessions on Zambia’s downstream petroleum sector and its role in the national energy mix; a cross cutting look at case studies on Smart Strategic Partnerships to deliver Clean Energy to Mines and discussions on innovation and new opportunities to leverage ESG in both the mining and energy sectors.

Some of the notable speakers confirmed to unpack these issues at ZIMEC include:

  • E. Amb. Nicholas WOOLLEY, United Kingdom High Commissioner to Zambia
  • E. Amb. Saana HALINEN, Ambassador of Finland to Zambia
  • Kgomotso LEKOLA, Founder and Group Managing Director, BT Industrial Group, South Africa
  • Anthony MALENGA, Country Manager, Barrick Gold Corporation
  • Dr Godwin BEENE, President, Zambia Chamber of Mines
  • Anthony KABAGHE, President, Zambia Chamber of Commerce, and Industry
  • Owen SILAVWE, Managing Director, CEC
  • Victor MAPANI, Managing Director, ZESCO
  • Albert HALWAMPA, Director General, Zambia Development Agency
  • Lyapa MANZA, Country Manager & Managing Director, GoviEx Uranium Zambia Limited
  • Mfikeyi MAKAYI, Chief Executive Officer, KoBold Metals Zambia
  • Dr Laurent BAILLY, Geologist, BRGM – French Geological Survey
  • Ari SAARTENOJA, Chief Executive Officer, Radai Limited
  • Vichaya CHUNGU, Zambia Country Director, UK Department for International Trade
  • Claudio BACIGALUPI, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Zambia and COMESA
  • Dr Christopher BRYAN, Microbiologist, BRGM – French Geological Survey
  • Ebelia Manda MVULA, Mining Engineering Lecturer and Researcher, Copperbelt University School of Mines and Mineral Sciences
  • Emmanuel MBAMBIKO, President, Kitwe and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Charles SAKANYA, Chief Executive Officer, Mopani Copper Mines Plc
  • Mekgwe MFOLO, Chief Executive Officer, BT Pipe System Design and Engineering, South Africa
  • Carol NAMPUNGWE, Acting Engineering Manager-KCM SmelterCo Projects, KCM SmelterCo Limited
  • Providence MAVUBI, Director of Industry, Agriculture, Investment and Private Sector Development, COMESA
  • Muntanga LINDUNDA, Chief Executive Officer, Zambia Association of Manufacturers
  • Vincent OBISIE-ORLU, Researcher, Good Governance Africa
  • Grace NJAPAU -EFRATI, Deputy Chairperson, SADC Women in Mining
  • Fabian MISELO, Program Manager – Children Out of Mining Project, PACT Zambia

We are delighted to announce esteemed sponsors confirmed so far, who are supporting ZIMEC 2023:

PLATINUM SPONSORS – Barrick Lumwana Mining Company and BT Industrial Group;

SILVER SPONSORS - Copperbelt Energy Corporation and China Pavilion;

BRONZE SPONSORS – Lubambe Copper Mine, Minesense, Stanbic Bank, Tanzania Ports Authority and Vivo Energy Zambia;

ASSOCIATE SPONSORS - GoviEx Uranium, KoBold Metals, Jinko Solar, Mopani Copper Mines, Puma Energy, Radai Ltd and Standard Chartered Bank.

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