Ivanhoe Mines has been granted a significant new exploration licence package by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, marking a pivotal step in the company’s expansion across the Central African Copperbelt.
The 7,757-square-kilometre area in Zambia’s North-Western Province is believed to hold vast copper mineralization potential and aligns with Ivanhoe’s strategy of exploring for extensions of the renowned Central African Copperbelt.
This announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Ivanhoe Mines and Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in September 2024. Through this collaboration, the Ministry has facilitated access to critical geological data and supported Ivanhoe’s efforts in identifying highly prospective exploration zones. This includes shared results from an ongoing airborne geophysical survey, which spans the country and is poised to accelerate exploration activities.
The newly acquired licences are strategically positioned between Ivanhoe’s Western Forelands Exploration Project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its Angolan exploration licences.
The Zambian area is over three times larger than the Western Forelands Project and sits within an underexplored region believed to host copper mineralization associated with Basement Domes, Katangan-age sediment-hosted systems, and iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) systems.
Geological Potential and Strategic Importance
Ivanhoe Mines’ geological team is set to explore the newly granted licences for signs of copper-rich formations beneath the Kalahari sands, a layer concealing much of the mineralization. This exploration area shares notable geological similarities with Ivanhoe’s world-leading discoveries in the DRC, such as the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex. The company’s exploration efforts will focus on the southwestern arc of the Central African Copperbelt, extending into Zambia and Angola.
Robert Friedland, Executive Co-Chair of Ivanhoe Mines, expressed excitement over the new opportunities in Zambia, emphasizing the importance of the country’s geology in the company’s quest for high-grade copper. “Our entrance into Zambia is a significant milestone in expanding our exploration footprint, and we believe there are still many tier-one copper discoveries yet to be made in this region,” he stated.
Support from the Zambian Government
The President of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, welcomed Ivanhoe Mines’ entry into the country, recognizing the potential for job creation, economic growth, and community empowerment. He emphasized that the new investment aligns with Zambia’s long-term vision of reaching over 3 million tonnes of copper production by 2031 and ensuring that resources benefit the Zambian people.
“The development of this new copper exploration project is not just about boosting production, but also about empowering our communities and building a prosperous economy for all Zambians,” President Hichilema said.
A Massive Exploration Program on the Horizon
In addition to the Zambian licence acquisition, Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its exploration efforts in the DRC’s Western Forelands, with the company’s 2025 exploration program set to be its largest ever. A budget of $50 million has been allocated for 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling. This includes an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Makoko area and a Maiden Resource Estimate for Kitoko and Makoko West.
The company’s exploration efforts in Zambia are expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025. Initial activities will involve environmental baseline studies, community engagement, and geophysical surveys, with drilling set to follow in the latter half of the year. Ivanhoe plans to employ aircore and auger drilling techniques to collect soil geochemical data, enabling the team to map the area and identify key targets for future diamond drilling.
A Promising Future for Zambian Copper Exploration
The new exploration licences in Zambia are part of Ivanhoe Mines’ larger strategy to expand its footprint across the Central African Copperbelt. The company’s exploration activities, which have already yielded notable discoveries in the DRC, are poised to unlock Zambia’s untapped copper potential. Ivanhoe is optimistic about the prospects in Zambia, particularly given the country’s supportive mining policies and the availability of shared geological data from the Ministry of Mines.
As global demand for copper continues to rise, Ivanhoe Mines is confident that its efforts in Zambia will contribute to the country’s economic development and its broader goals of becoming a key player in the global copper market.