By KENNEDY MUPESENI-

VICE-PRESIDENT Guy Scott has advised countries along the Great Rift Valley to explore means of adding value to minerals before they are exported to increase their revenue base.

Dr Scott cited lack of local content to minerals as one of the challenge facing countries along the Great Rift Valley.

Officiating at the opening of the Great Rift Valley Mining Summit in Lusaka yesterday, the Vice-President said countries along the Great Rift Valley should address the lack of local content for them to derive economic benefits from copper and other minerals the region was endowed with.

“Most of the countries in the Great Rift Valley are exporting raw copper instead of adding value, which is a great disagreement which needs practical answers,” he said.

He observed that only one per cent of the copper mined in Zambia was used in the local industry while the rest was exported.

Dr Scott said the meeting was timely as it would encourage the participants to explore value addition to minerals.

The two-day summit has attracted mining countries and companies along the Great Rift Valley to showcase their mineral potential and to exchange ideas on improving the mining sectors in the participating countries.

Dr Scott said Zambia had an advantage in mining investments due to the variety of minerals the country has.

Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the ministry would make sure that value addition in the mining sector was promoted.

Mr Yaluma said the Government was pursuing mineral diversification by exploring other minerals, particularly those with the potential to spur the development of the manufacturing sector in the country.

He said the Government had also embarked on oil and gas explorations.

Mr Yaluma said that five companies had been licensed to commence the explorations.