Japan Gives Zambia a $1.2m Grant to Improve Mineral Analysis

By Sharon Kunda

Japan has given Zambia grant assistance of approximately 1.2 million (K33.6m) United States dollars to support the procurement of laboratory equipment at the Geological Survey Department under the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.

The two countries have since signed and exchanged notes for the provision of Mineral Analysis Instruments under the Economic and Social Development Programme.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Lusaka today, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia TAKEUCHI KAZUYUKI said that the grant aid is expected to improve the mineral analysis capacity and update geological data.

Mr. KAZUYUKI said it is expected that exploration and mining activities will accelerate, thereby contributing to increased national tax revenues and poverty reduction.

And Minister of Finance SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE said the aid will enable the Ministry of Mines to procure state-of-the-art mining equipment and improve the capabilities of the Geological Survey Department.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said that the new equipment will improve the accuracy and efficiency of geological surveys, resulting in further investments in the mining sector.

Meanwhile, Japan International Cooperation Agency -JICA- Chief Representative TATEYAMA JOTARO said the grant aid comes as subsequent assistance to go with Human Resource Development which has seen seven officials and researchers from the Ministry of Mines completing their studies in Japan.