The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, working with the European Union Geological Surveys and the African Geological Surveys with funding from the European Commission is undertaking a research survey on graphite occurrences in Chief Mumbi’s Chiefdom in Petauke District of Eastern Province.
The survey is aimed at assessing the area’s graphite potential while updating the country’s geoscientific database and strengthening the capacity of local geologists.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Petauke District Commissioner Martha Mulenga, who was represented by District Administrative Officer Vincent Chibuye, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Senior Geologist Pamela Mukupa said the research will enhance geoscientific data and provide insights into potential futuristic economic benefits for the local community and nation at large.
Ms Mukupa noted that the project would also expose participating researchers to modern survey technologies and enhance their technical skills.
“Following the reconnaissance that was done last year, the mineral we are after is graphite; and graphite is a critical mineral for Zambia. So, this field research project is very important because our interest is not just on the economic part but also updating our geoscientific database from information obtained from the survey, as the Geological Survey Department for the ministry and also capacity building for the officers that are involved,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pan-African Support to Geological Sciences and Technology (PanAfGeo+) Local Consultant under the Zambia Country window Gertrude Phiri described the research as a significant undertaking that would contribute to the development of Zambia’s geoscientific expertise.
“This project is very important for our country because they are bringing geoscientific skills and imparting them in our geologists and they have state of the art equipment that can detect and determine the mineralization and I am sure Petauke will not be the same in the next few years to come depending on the graphite occurrences that will be discovered and definitely it is going to benefit the community and the country,” she said.
Research Team Lead Jaakko Avellan from the Geological Survey of Finland expressed optimism that the exercise would yield positive outcomes.
“We thank you for welcoming us to your district we hope to bring with this research we are doing fruitful results,” he said.
And Petauke District Commissioner Martha Mulenga, who was represented by District Administrative Officer Vincent Chibuye, assured the research team of the district’s full support throughout the exercise.
Ms Mulenga reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting research initiatives that have the potential to contribute to the country’s future economic development.
“Ours is to ensure that there is smooth execution of the assignment but also to ensure that there is smooth collaboration with all the stakeholders that is the traditional leadership, the community itself and everybody,” she said.
The research forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance Zambia’s understanding of its mineral resources and unlock opportunities presented by critical minerals such as graphite, which is increasingly in demand globally for use in batteries and other clean energy technologies.
Graphite is essential in the manufacturing of batteries, lubrication and also used in the melting of steel.
