Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, has officially commissioned the US$15 million Carbon-In-Pulp (CIP) gold processing plant established by Xpoint Investment Limited in Nangoma constituency in Mumbwa district.
Mrs Nalumango said the investment is a milestone in Zambia’s drive toward industrialisation and sustainable economic transformation.
She said the new plant reflects the government’s vision of promoting value addition, job creation, and environmental stewardship in the mining sector.
“This event is not merely the commissioning of an industrial facility, but a celebration of innovation, resilience, and partnership between government, the private sector, and local communities,” she said.
Mrs Nalumango has since commended Xpoint Investment Limited for its confidence in Zambia’s investment climate and its commitment to employing and training local people.
The Vice President noted that the plant, which has a processing capacity of over 800 metric tonnes of ore per day, will create direct and indirect jobs for young engineers, technicians and artisans.
“This is precisely the type of partnership the new dawn administration envisions, where business success translates into broad-based development,” she said.
Mrs Nalumango said the investment aligns with the government’s socio-economic transformation agenda and supports the Eighth National Development Plan and Vision 2030, which prioritise industrialisation, diversification and value addition.
She also urged other investors to emulate Xpoint’s example by adopting modern and environmentally friendly technologies that ensure economic growth goes hand-in-hand with ecological preservation.
The Vice President further commended Chief Shakumbila and the traditional leaders in the area for providing a stable environment that has enabled such investment to flourish.
She said collaboration among government, traditional leaders and the private sector is key to sustainable development.
“By processing gold locally, Zambia retains more value within the economy and reduces the outflow of wealth through raw material exports,” she said.
Mrs Nalumango has meanwhile reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the mining sector through policy consistency, transparency, and the upcoming Gold Subsector Policy Framework, aimed at promoting formalisation of artisanal mining and equitable benefit-sharing.
She added that the project will have a significant socio-economic impact, spurring investment in housing, retail, and transport while improving livelihoods in Nangoma and beyond.
Mrs Nalumango has since called on both local and foreign investors to explore more opportunities in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and renewable energy.
“Together, we can build a resilient, inclusive, and industrialised Zambia, where our mineral wealth translates into shared prosperity for every citizen,” she said.
And Central Province Minister, Mwabashike Nkulukusa, advised the company to share its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy with government and other stakeholders.
Mr Nkulukusa said this will make people appreciate what the company will be doing to improve the lives of the local people.
“I would like to advise you to share your CSR with government officials and the traditional leadership,” said Mr Nkulukusa.
Meanwhile, Nangoma Member of Parliament, Collins Nzovu, commended Xpoint which he said has pledged to build a clinic in the area as part of its corporate social responsibility in Nangoma.
Mr Nzovu said the construction of the clinic would start soon.
Meanwhile, senior chief Shakumbila urged the government to protect artisanal license holders who he said are being threatened.
Chief Shakumbila said there is no illegal mining in Nangoma and that the artisanal license holders should be allowed to operate freely.
“Artisanal license holders are the ones feeding the processing companies, they should be allowed to operate freely,” said Chief Shakumbila.
The traditional leader also cautioned Xpoint gold processing company not to ill-treat employees saying the workers should respect the employers as well.
And Xpoint Managing Partner, Mathews Siabasimbi, said the company is looking forward to seeing a collaboration between artisanal license holders and main license holders to ensure that the two parties conduct their businesses in-line with the law.
