The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, informed the National Assembly that the ministry will continue to assign geoscientists to monitor the progress of exploration activities in the Zambezi Region.

This follows a request by NDP Leader Lukato Lukato in a written question for the minister to investigate historical and recent mineral exploration activities in the region following the discovery of critical and strategic minerals in the Kongola and Linyanti constituencies.

Amutse stated that the government has a keen interest in identifying economically viable mineral resources, including rare earth minerals, in that region of the country. He assured that the ministry would keep the public informed as significant findings were reported.

He said exploration activities are currently ongoing.

At this stage, no economically viable mineral discovery has been declared to the Ministry.

Amutse said the project is still at an early stage of exploration, and the minerals reported thus far are trace elements that commonly occur in rocks and do not constitute evidence of commercially viable mineral deposits.

The Ministry is aware that the company applied for an exploration licence for EPL number 6952, which is owned by Clarina Cita Diaz. This licence was obtained on 18th June 2018 and is set to expire in 2027. It can, however, be renewed after that, providing an option for continuation. Currently, there are ongoing exploration activities associated with this EPL," he said.

At this moment, the minister added, there has been no viable discovery reported to the ministry. "The exploration is still underway to ascertain what resources may exist. This EPL is located in the Zambez Region and was granted primarily to facilitate exploration activities aimed at identifying mineable deposits. The project remains in the early stages of exploration, and the minerals that have been indicated thus far are primarily trace elements that are commonly found in rocks."