Mining & Energy | Zambia Monitor

Chingola ‘Jerabos’ receive $4 million compensation from Zambian govt after Sensele mine eviction, demand more

Kenneth Lutena — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 05:56:55 +0000

The Zambian government, through the office of Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, has reportedly handed over US$4 million in compensation to illegal miners, commonly known as Jerabos, who were removed from the Sensele copper pit in Chingola following a fatal mining incident.

The compensation, provided by a yet-to-be-named investor, was officially handed over on Friday at the Chingola Civic Centre and is expected to benefit more than 4,000 Jerabos who had been operating at the copper dump.

About two years ago, government resolved to remove illegal miners from the Sensele site following a mine collapse that claimed at least 36 lives, with some bodies yet to be retrieved.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kabuswe said government had insisted that the affected miners received compensation before the investor took over the site.

“We had to put our foot down to ensure that you walk away with something before the owner of the mine decided to remove you,” Kabuswe said.

He noted that the US$4 million compensation package would have a positive economic impact on Chingola and acknowledged calls from the miners for an alternative place where they could continue mining legally and safely.

Kabuswe emphasized that government was committed to ensuring mining activities were conducted in a safe environment to prevent the loss of lives, as witnessed at Sensele.

He also urged the beneficiaries to support the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema as the country approached the next general elections.

Earlier, Jerabos steering committee chairperson, Joseph Kazhila, thanked government and the investor for fulfilling the commitment to provide an exit package, but said the amount would not be sufficient in the long term.

“This money will be a drop in the ocean. We appeal to government to identify an alternative place where Jerabos can mine safely,” Kazhila said.

He praised President Hichilema, Minister Kabuswe and Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo for considering the plight of the Jerabos.

Jerabos leader, Douglas Chilembe, also thanked government for the compensation and reiterated the need for authorities to allocate a designated mining area, noting that the list of beneficiaries exceeds 4,000 miners.

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Energy: Zambia, Zimbabwe approve $220 million each for Batoka Gorge power project

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:13:52 +0000

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers (COM) has approved an equity contribution of US$220 million each by Zambia and Zimbabwe towards the construction of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (BGHES), a US$4.2 billion regional power project.

The Council also reaffirmed the adoption of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, including the exploration of equity partnerships to enhance the project’s bankability.

According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by Ministry of Energy Principal Public Relations Officer, Bob Sianjalika, the allocation will cater for dam construction under the 2026 budget cycle, with implementation timelines remaining flexible.

Outgoing ZRA Council of Ministers Chairperson, Makozo Chikote, announced the decision during the 43rd Ordinary Meeting held on December 29, 2025, at Elephant Hills Resort in Zimbabwe.

The meeting reviewed bilateral issues including the hydrological situation, water allocation at Lake Kariba, progress on strategic energy projects, and the implementation of community development programmes.

Chikote said the updating of engineering feasibility and environmental studies for the Batoka project was underway, with advisory services strengthened through the engagement of financial, technical, and legal consultants.

While noting progress, the Council directed that project implementation timelines be revised, in line with resolutions made by the two Heads of State during the Bi-National Commission meeting held in Zimbabwe in November 2025, aimed at accelerating project delivery.

The Council also noted progress on the Devil’s Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme prefeasibility studies being undertaken by Tractebel Engineering, which has submitted inception, environmental and social screening, and options assessment reports.

“The options assessment identified areas requiring further geological investigations and bathymetric surveys, while the consultant has been instructed to finalise the prefeasibility study using available data, with the final report expected in the first quarter of 2026,” Chikote said.

In addition, the Council acknowledged progress on the Kariba Floating Solar PV Project, including the African Development Bank’s completion of consultant evaluations and the appointment of a joint venture consortium to undertake feasibility studies.

It further noted Zimbabwe’s approval of a 600MW floating solar plant on Lake Kariba, to be implemented in three phases starting with 150MW in the second quarter of 2026.

“This aligns with the Council’s earlier resolution allowing both Zambia and Zimbabwe to independently pursue solar projects on the lake,” Chikote said.

The Council also called for the expedited implementation of the Zambia–Tanzania interconnector project, which involves 912 kilometres of 330kV transmission lines and associated substations.

Zambia’s Energy Minister confirmed that financing has been secured from the World Bank, European Union and the United Kingdom, with commercial operations expected in the fourth quarter of 2028.

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ZESCO begins construction of 20MW solar plant in Lusaka to serve Mtendere, Roma, others

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 13:29:01 +0000

ZESCO Limited, through its subsidiary Kiyona Energy Limited, has reportedly commenced the construction of a 20-megawatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project in Lusaka’s Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) area.

According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, the project forms part of President Hakainde Hichilema’s ambition to see Zambia attain 1,000MW of solar-generated electricity.

It said its intention, through the subsidiary, was to ease citizens’ over-reliance on hydroelectricity, which has proven increasingly risky as the country continues to experience frequent droughts, with the most recent in 2024 resulting in the worst drought-induced electricity deficit.

“This solar surge, therefore, is part of the government’s broader agenda to diversify the energy mix and address the current energy deficit,” reads the statement.

The NRDC Solar Power Plant will sit on 20 hectares of land provided to ZESCO by the Ministry of Agriculture through the Natural Resources Development College.

The power utility said the 20MW solar plant is scheduled for completion by February 2026 and will primarily serve communities including Mtendere, Kalikiliki, Roma, Kalingalinga, Kanyama and surrounding areas.

“Further to this endeavour, Kiyona is busy in initiatives such as Greening Cities, Greening Markets and Greening Homes through its innovative Electricity-as-a-Service offering,” it said.

It explained that under this initiative, Kiyona is installing solar equipment in homes at no upfront cost, with homeowners only required to continue paying their normal electricity bills.

The company said excess electricity generated from each home solar system would be fed into the national grid to serve other customers.

“The Greening Homes initiative, which has already taken flight in Lusaka’s Silverest and ZAF areas, is targeting a minimum of 5MW of solar power at each location,” the company said.

In Silverest, Kiyona expects to generate 3MW from 600 homes in the community, with surrounding households also set to benefit.

Kiyona will further install solar systems on 5,000 houses in Kwamwena before expanding to Salama Park and Woodlands, while also targeting key strategic institutions.

“The National Assembly is among the institutions targeted to act as an electricity generating station, with 1MW of electricity expected to be realised,” the company said.

It stated that a solar plant had already been installed at the National Assembly with sufficient capacity to feed surrounding areas.

ZESCO noted that while the National Assembly consumes about 300 kilowatts of electricity, Kiyona’s intention is for the excess power to be supplied to nearby residential communities.

“Consequently, some houses in Olympia will be fed from Parliament and by so doing, reducing transmission losses,” reads the statement.

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AfDB commits $1 million for floating solar project on Lake Kariba

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 13:02:34 +0000

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated US$1 million towards feasibility studies for a Floating Solar Photovoltaic Plant on Lake Kariba.

The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) plans to install an initial 2,000 floating solar panels on the Kariba Dam to supplement power generation at the struggling Kariba North Power Plant.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Chairperson of the ZRA Council of Ministers, Makozo Chikote, said the project would complement hydropower generation and strengthen energy resilience amid climate variability.

Zambia’s Minister of Energy made the remarks during the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ZRA Council of Ministers held at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where he also welcomed the AfDB investment.

He reaffirmed Zambia and Zimbabwe’s commitment to strategic power generation and transmission investments aimed at enhancing energy security, resilience and regional integration.

“The two countries are intensifying collaboration on key energy infrastructure projects following climate-induced challenges that adversely affected hydropower generation at the Kariba Complex,” Chikote said.

The Minister identified the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme (2,400MW) as a priority bilateral investment, describing it as a transformative project expected to drive industrialisation, job creation and economic growth in both countries.

He urged the Zambezi River Authority to fast-track implementation by executing project milestones in parallel, in line with directives from the two Heads of State.

Chikote also underscored the importance of regional transmission infrastructure, citing the Zimbabwe–Zambia–Botswana–Namibia (ZIZABONA) Phase I Project, which will provide an alternative power wheeling route between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

“The project is expected to address existing transmission constraints and enhance power trading under the Southern African Power Pool,” the Minister stated.

On infrastructure sustainability, Chikote announced continued progress on the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project, with plunge pool reshaping completed in 2024, Spillway Refurbishment Phase I completed in November 2025, and Phase II works currently at 30 percent completion.

He said the rehabilitation programme remained a critical investment to safeguard the long-term structural integrity and operational safety of the Kariba Dam.

Chikote reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, to deepening bilateral cooperation with Zimbabwe to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy that supports economic growth and regional development.

Incoming Chairperson of the ZRA Council of Ministers and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, commended the ZRA for the prudent management of the shared water resource despite challenging hydrological conditions.

“The collective planning and cooperation have been central to addressing energy challenges and sustaining power supply in both countries,” Moyo said.

Zambia has since handed over the Chairpersonship of the Zambezi River Authority Council of Ministers to Zimbabwe.

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Local content law to boost jobs, retain economic value in Zambia —Association of mine suppliers

Maimbolwa Mulikelela — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:14:10 +0000

Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors President, Coster Mwaba, says the enactment of Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 68 of 2025 will help retain economic value in Zambia by boosting local procurement, job creation and domestic manufacturing.

“When you procure locally, you are creating jobs, generating taxes, and building industries here at home. But when you import everything, you are exporting opportunities. That 20 percent local content translates into real income, employment, and business growth for Zambians,” Mwaba said.

He described the statutory instrument as a long-overdue milestone in the country’s local content agenda, noting that it marked the culmination of nearly 15 years of sustained advocacy by local suppliers and contractors.

“We must commend the government for having the courage to sign onto local content. This is something we have been advocating for over the past 14 to 15 years. Our engagement on this matter dates back to 2010, and today it has finally become a reality,” he said.

Mwaba told Zambia Monitor in an interview that SI No.68 compels mining companies to prioritise Zambian-owned suppliers, a move he said would significantly benefit local contractors who had historically struggled to access procurement opportunities.

He said the Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors was engaging mining houses to ensure they realign their procurement systems in line with the new law, which sets an initial local content threshold of 20 percent, with gradual increases over the next decade.

“We don’t have much time. Years are moving very fast. Mining houses must realign their procurement practices to comply with SI No. 68 of 2025, especially for goods and non-core services that are clearly meant for citizen-owned companies,” Mwaba said.

He noted that early indications showed a positive response from the industry.

“Almost all mining houses are aligning themselves with the SI. Even mining firms with foreign ownership have engaged government and are holding discussions on how to adjust their procurement systems accordingly,” he said.

However, Mwaba urged local suppliers and contractors to rise to the occasion by delivering quality goods and services at competitive prices.

“Now that opportunities have been extended to us, it is also time for local suppliers and contractors to raise the bar. We must supply quality products, price competitively, and honour delivery timelines. We cannot quote for jobs we cannot execute,” he said.

On challenges, Mwaba acknowledged that lack of trust and perception issues had previously limited access for local suppliers.

“One of the major barriers we faced was perception. There was a belief that local suppliers could not meet quality or pricing standards. SI No. 68 of 2025 helps address this by making local participation mandatory, starting at 20 percent,” he said.

Addressing concerns over delayed payments, Mwaba said while SI No. 68 of 2025 does not legislate payment timelines, the issue remains critical for supplier sustainability.

“Payment terms are contractual and vary from supplier to supplier, which makes it difficult to legislate. However, this law raises expectations, and we are appealing to mining houses to also improve payment practices,” he said.

He warned that delayed payments disrupt supply chains and negatively affect production.

“If you delay paying a supplier, you disrupt the next stage of production. That supplier still has employees, overheads and obligations to meet. Delayed payments affect the entire value chain,” Mwaba said.

He expressed hope that the same commitment shown in embracing local content would extend to building fair, reliable and sustainable business relationships between mining companies and Zambian suppliers.

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GreenCo secures €50 million facility to enhance electricity trading, renewable power investment in Southern Africa

Maimbolwa Mulikelela — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 05:20:53 +0000

GreenCo says it has secured a €50 million guarantee facility backed by the European Commission and Impact Fund Denmark (IFDK) under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), aimed at strengthening electricity trading and renewable power investment across Southern Africa, including Zambia.

The facility, it is said, will support GreenCo’s ability to meet long-term payment obligations to independent power producers operating in Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday.

GreenCo said the facility addresses the lack of creditworthy, long-term offtakers, a major constraint to power sector investment in sub-Saharan Africa.

“This guarantee is not just about GreenCo – it is about proving that African power markets can work without sovereign guarantees. By using guarantees to unlock private investment rather than replace it, we can accelerate the energy transition while diversifying risk and leveraging flexibility to deliver innovative solutions to our clients,” said GreenCo Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder Cathy Oxby.

The company’s Chief Finance Officer and Co-Founder Pug Bennet added, “The related EFSD+ and IFDK guarantees are highly bespoke, and the product of creativity and hard work by the combined deal team.”

“This is precisely the type of catalytic intervention the EFSD+ was designed to support,” said Impact Fund Denmark Managing Director Thomas Hougaard, noting that the facility would help unlock investment to deliver clean, affordable and reliable electricity.

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Govt set to commission first phase of Mabumba 50MW solar plant, claims 20,000 households to benefit from project

AUGUSTINE SICHULA — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:25:32 +0000

Government has announced that it would commission the first phase of the Mabumba 50-megawatt Solar Power Plant in Mansa District, Luapula Province, on Christmas Day.

The initial phase will see 14 megawatts evacuated into the national grid, easing power deficits in the province and benefiting more than 20,000 households.

Speaking during a tour of the project site in Mansa, Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Tobias Michelo, said the project was central to government’s energy diversification strategy, aimed at reducing reliance on climate-vulnerable hydro power following last year’s drought.

Michelo noted in a statement issued in Lusaka Friday that Zambia’s installed electricity generation capacity stood at about 3,900 megawatts, with approximately 85 percent coming from hydro sources, prompting a policy shift towards solar energy.

He said government had set a Presidential target of adding 1,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid.

“The Mansa solar project not only boosts installed capacity but has also created local economic benefits, employing up to 250 local people at peak construction,” Michelo said.

ZESCO Senior Area Manager for Luapula Province, Eustace Simuchindo, said the province’s electricity demand stood at about 28 megawatts and that the full 50-megawatt plant would significantly stabilise supply once fully commissioned.

Simuchindo confirmed that 14 megawatts would be evacuated by December 25, marking the first phase of the project.

Luapula Province Acting Permanent Secretary, Evans Sikabbuba, said the province would be the primary beneficiary of the power generated, with only surplus electricity exported to other areas after local demand had been met.

“The Mabumba Solar Power Plant is part of Government’s wider strategy to curb load shedding, strengthen energy security and accelerate the transition to renewable energy,” Sikabbuba said.

Meanwhile, CMEC Assistant Site Manager, Lewis Liu, said contractors were working round the clock to ensure the first 14 megawatts were successfully evacuated by December 25, 2025, adding that the project had reached advanced stages of completion.

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Zambia’s energy sector reportedly attracts highest investment commitments of $773.69 million in Q3 2025

Bumba Mulenga — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:24:17 +0000

Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) Board Chairperson Professor, Biemba Maliti, says a sectoral breakdown of investment performance during the third quarter of 2025 showed that the Energy sector attracted the highest investment commitments at US$773.69 million, accounting for 39.38 percent of total investment.

This was followed by the Manufacturing sector, which recorded US$708.76 million in investment commitments, representing 36.07 percent, while the Mining sector attracted US$309.40 million, accounting for 15.75 percent.

The Construction sector recorded US$74.36 million, representing 3.78 percent, with other sectors combined contributing US$98.56 million, or 5.02 percent.

Maliti said the Agency recorded 9,893 pledged jobs from 118 investment projects during the quarter, exceeding the target of 5,001 jobs and achieving 197.82 percent performance.

He said the Agency surpassed its investment promotion targets after recording 118 investment projects against a target of 90, representing 131.11 percent achievement.

From the projects recorded, Maliti said the Agency secured US$1.96 billion in investment commitments, slightly below the quarterly target of US$2 billion but achieving 98 percent performance.

Maliti also highlighted Zambia’s export performance during the period under review, saying the country recorded total exports valued at US$3.61 billion.

He said Traditional Exports accounted for US$2.28 billion, representing 63.10 percent of total exports, while Non-Traditional Exports contributed US$1.33 billion, accounting for 36.90 percent.

Maliti said the Agency will continue to promote investment, facilitate business growth and expand export opportunities to support economic development.

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ZESCO, Smart Zambia partner to expand digital, energy access nationwide

Bumba Mulenga — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:16:49 +0000

ZESCO Limited and Smart Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the expansion of digital and energy infrastructure across the country.

The agreement, effective Tuesday, according to the entities aims to connect more than 3,230 health facilities and approximately 13,000 schools to the electricity grid and digital networks.

ZESCO Managing Director, Justin Loongo, said the partnership reflected Zambia’s push towards digitalisation and the development of critical public services.

“Digital infrastructure strengthens education, healthcare, and citizen security. This MoU unites two institutions committed to providing reliable, sustainable infrastructure to empower digital services,” Loongo said.

He explained that under the agreement, ZESCO will provide the roadmap while Smart Zambia takes the lead in implementation, applying its technical expertise in communication infrastructure.

Loongo said ZESCO will oversee the design, construction, and maintenance of the connections.

“This initiative is more than a technology upgrade; it is an investment in access, responsiveness, and community development,” Loongo added, noting that a joint project management committee will ensure seamless coordination.

Smart Zambia National Coordinator. Percy Chinyama, said the project would leverage existing infrastructure to extend connectivity nationwide.

“The MoU reflects the government’s commitment to inclusive connectivity. Zambia’s demand for power is rising, and this initiative addresses gaps from past planning,” Chinyama said.

He added that the development would meet the growing energy needs driven by the country’s economic expansion.

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Zambian govt reiterates benefits of new local content law for Zambian businesses in mining sector

Bumba Mulenga — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:51:57 +0000

The recently enacted local content legislation in Zambia’s mining sector is expected to unlock major economic opportunities for domestic businesses, says Tobias Musonda, Director of Planning and Information at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

Musonda explained that the law differentiates between core and non-core goods and services.

He said while core goods and services will have minimum thresholds for local participation, non-core services — including cleaning, printing, and other support services — will be fully reserved for Zambian companies.

“This legislation is designed to stimulate domestic production and increase Zambians’ participation across the mineral value chain,” Musonda said during the launch of the 2025 PwC Zambia Mining Review Report on Friday on December 5, 2025.

He noted that before the law’s introduction, only two percent of mining procurement benefited local businesses.

Musonda said under the new framework, mining companies were required to allocate at least 20 percent of opportunities to local firms within the first six months, with targets rising to 40 percent over four years.

Speaking at the same event, Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) Chief Executive Officer, Sokwani Chilembo, stressed that local businesses should strive to become full-service providers rather than just vendors.

“The goal is to offer reliability, confidence, and support with every product, creating jobs and shifting people from trading to value addition,” he said.

Chilembo added that the local content programme mandated mining companies to invest 5.05 percent of their turnover in developing local suppliers, regardless of company size or location.

He said companies could identify promising local businesses, guarantee them contracts, provide business development support, and facilitate access to discounted financing.

He said smaller mining companies and non-ZCM members can outsource compliance and supplier development services, ensuring opportunities were widely accessible across the sector.

“This is about execution. Proper implementation will generate more jobs, drive economic growth and industrialisation, and could even enable some companies to become export leaders in regional mining markets like the DRC, Malawi, and eventually Angola,” Chilembo stated.

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