ZAMBIA’s mineral wealth can not be questioned and no mineral occurs in the country like copper which has for decades driven the economy of this country.
Complaints have been expressed about the overdependence on the red metal which accounts for just more than 70 per cent of the country’s earnings.
Calls for an increase in other export earnings are well documented with the main thrust being the economy suffers whenever prices of one commodity on the international market fall.
A wide range of export earnings can help the economy become more resilient and would increase the Gross Domestic Product of the country.
The need for this is the reason there is always excitement in the country when news filters through that there are explorations ongoing or getting started for other minerals in various parts of the ountry.
In our sister newspaper, the Sunday Times of Zambia, we yesterday carried a story saying diamond and gold explorations had started in Mafinga with the hope this would result in full-scale commercial production.
Mafinga Council Chairperson Duncan Kaonga said several companies among them Zambian, were currently undertaking exploration works in the area.
This is exciting news especially that the two commodities fetch high prices on the international markets and have made countries that manage their production well some of the wealthiest on the continent.
South Africa is rich in gold while Botswana and Namibia have properly managed their diamond production and three southern African countries are the envy of many across the world.
It therefore excites all when news of explorations for such metals gets started.
But exploration is nothing new to Zambia.
For decades, several companies, some of them leaders in mining in the world, have been named to be undertaking exploration works for a range of minerals and little or nothing has come forth.
Exploration does not guarantee mineralisation but the problem in the country is that no news comes forth on the results of the exploration works.
Whether it was false hope or not, Zambians deserve to be told over news that raised their hopes so much for a better life.
It is just a decade ago that Zambians were told that 12 sites in the country tested by government geologists tested positive for oil and six tested positive for natural gas.
These deposits were discovered in Chavuma and Zambezi districts of Northwestern Province near the Angolan border which is a known oil and gas producer.
News lately suggests Zambia is littered with gold with Mwinilunga leading them all.
Everyone is excited about the developments and it remains everyone’s hope that explorations for diamonds, gold and oil ongoing in Zambia result in mining and later better the lives of the Zambians.