By CHATULA KANGALI –
A KOREAN firm has commenced aerial surveys for various minerals in Muchinga Province, Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda has said.
The move followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Zambian Government and the Korean firm to conduct an aerial survey of metals and gemstones.
Government through the Ministry of Mines and mineral development signed the MoU with the Korean National Geographical Information Institute in Lusaka on Friday last week.
Mr Chanda said this in an interview yesterday.
He said that the Koreans would conduct a geographical, geochemical and geophysical survey of metals, gemstones as well as phosphate in the province using a drone.
“We have  received reports of the presence of minerals in Muchinga, the MoU we signed would help us authenticate the real presence  of the minerals in the area,” he said.
Mr Chanda said that the aerial survey would indicate the exact location of minerals and quality and quantity.
He  said that after  the survey is  concluded and  shows  positive results, Government  would  start  attracting  investment  in the area.
Meanwhile, Government has finally acquired a drone from Zambia Airforce (ZAF) for conducting an aerial survey of metals and gemstones in Northern and Luapula Province.
He said that the Government had engaged some Chinese to conduct an aerial survey in the area and authenticate the presence of metals and gemstones in the two provinces.
Mr Chanda said that the Chinese were expected to commence the survey soon.