Industrial mineral resources of Zambia

Abstract

Zambia has for many years been heavily dependent upon the mining of copper which, combined with cobalt production, represents over 98% of mineral sales and 75% of export earnings (1997 figures). The industrial minerals industry within Zambia has therefore been inevitably tied to the fortunes of these two metals. The recent privatization, and break up, of ZCCM (Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines) has led to a resurgence in investment in the mining sector. Many analysts have predicted that there will be a positive effect on the Zambian economy, stimulating construction and infrastructure development and increasing the demand for industrial minerals. This paper summarises the available information on the industrial mineral resources of Zambia. Ten industrial minerals are described, with reference to some of the work carried out over recent years by the British Geological Survey, in conjunction with the Geological Survey Department of Zambia