
BHP eyes large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, mines ministry says
Global mining giant BHP is reportedly keen on pursuing large-scale copper exploration in Zambia, according to the country's mines ministry. This interest highlights a growing international focus on Zambia's mineral wealth, driven by surging demand for copper. Zambia, Africa's second-largest copper producer, aims to more than triple its output by 2031 and is actively seeking foreign investment to develop its largely underexplored deposits. BHP's renewed interest in Africa marks a shift, as the company had largely withdrawn from the continent since 2015, with a notable exception being its recent failed bid for Anglo American partly due to its South African operations. However, BHP recently launched exploration workshops across southern Africa, including Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola. BHP's head of global generative exploration, Campbell McCuaig, indicated that the company is targeting deeply buried or hidden large copper deposits using advanced geological methods and large-scale data analysis. He praised Zambia's efforts to expand access to geoscience data, such as airborne surveys and digitized geological records, which are crucial for attracting international investment into what remains one of the world's most prospective regions for copper.



