LocationsPaving the Way For Sustainable Mining Innovation
NEW DAWN AS ZAMBIA BREAKS GROUND ON THE TIMBUKTOO MINETECH HUB
December 13, 2024
Zambia breaks ground on the future on mining on the continent
UNDP Zambia
12th DECEMBER 2024, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA — Zambia has today marked a historic milestone, breaking the ground for the highly anticipated timbuktoo MineTech Hub and marking the pre-call to the prestigious Acceleration program. The MineTech becomes the first of its kind on the Continent with a focus on reimagining the mining industry. The President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, speaking through the Minister of Technology and Science, Honourable Felix Mutati emphasized the hub’s transformative potential
"We are going to transform the mining landscape in Africa. Mining will no longer be the same. We are not here to break the ground but to continue that critical journey to leverage technology, innovation and creativity to achieve one primary goal; that mining must be used as a critical tool to transform the lives of the people of Africa. Mining must be used to grow our economies and as a leverage to create other industries. It is a big investment.”
Despite hosting over 30 percent of the global mineral resources, Africa’s investment in this industry is under 1 percent. This is the disproportionate level that the timbuktoo Hub hopes to address. Hosted at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) and set against the backdrop of 100 years of copper mining in Zambia, this new hub sets the stage for a new era of innovation and sustainable technological advancements in the mining sector.
With decades as a prominent player in the global mining landscape, blessed with abundant mineral resources that have fueled the economy and shaped the country’s destiny, it is befitting for Zambia to host this mining technology hub that will ensure the mining industry remains competitive and relevant in an ever-evolving world, by embracing technological advancements and foster a culture of innovation.
Africa is indeed making impressive strides, with hopes that initiatives such as the timbuktoo MineTech will push the continent contribution share to beyond its current 30% of the world's mineral production.Zambia, boasting as the “Copperbelt,” of the continent has played a monumental role, celebrating over a century of mining excellence. With copper exports reaching 850,000 tons annually, the potential for economic growth is anticipated as the country enters a new dawn of investments and partnerships.
However, undeniable challenge remain which the timbuktoo initiative aims to address:
- youth unemployment rates that soar above 60% in many parts of the continent, leaving a significant portion of our population disillusioned and disconnected from their future.
- Low investment in technology
- Under investment in research and
- Disproportionate lack of critical skills to drive the changing landscape
Now one hundred years into copper mining, a sector that has fuelled economic growth and positioned the country as a key player in Africa’s mineral wealth, Zambia is set to redefine the global mining landscape by leading the continent into a tech-enabled, sustainable future for the mining industry.
According to Natalie Jabangwe, Executive Secretary of timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation, the MineTech Hub is more than a physical structure but a space for reimagining mining from lens never used before.
“We are not merely breaking ground on a physical structure; we are igniting a movement that aligns innovation with opportunity. The establishment of this hub symbolizes our collective commitment to transforming the youth of Africa into empowered innovators poised to revolutionize our mining sector and beyond."
Ms Jabangwe further underscored the underlining reasons for timbuktoo’s emphasis on young people. She recognized that the continent’s vibrancy lies within its youth.
“Our initiative seeks to create an enabling environment for innovation and technology uptake, particularly in the mining industry. Over the next decade, we are committed to investing $1 billion to support startup ecosystems across Africa", she says.
Speaking to the success of the timbuktoo thisyear alone witnessed tangible milestones, such as establishment of 26 University Innovation Pods (UniPods) spanning 20 countries. The UniPods, set up in public universities are laying the foundation to foster an inclusive innovation landscape that nurtures talent and creativity. Zambia’s UniPod was launched in February 2024 by the Regional Director for Africa, Ahunna Eziakonwa.
The UniPods and Hubs are planting seeds for a new generation of entrepreneurs who will forge sustainable solutions for our continent’s challenges. Therefore, today’s Groundbreaking Launch is a monumental step forward designed specifically to engage youth in the transformative solutions in mining technologies.
The Ground-breaking event brought a diverse range of interest groups including the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Beatrice Mutali who was a key speaker noted that “The MineTech Hub is more than just a physical space; it is a catalyst for transformation. It will serve as a nexus for collaboration between industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers, fostering the exchange of ideas and the development of cutting-edge solutions. Within these walls, we will cultivate talent, empowering young African minds to become the future leaders of mining conglomerates that will drive the advancement of engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs for generations to come.”
She expressed her delight that the Hub will nurture talent, empowering young African minds to become the engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. She further stressed that through the partnership between the Government of Zambia, NISIR and the UNDP, “We will support promising start-ups by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to leverage technology for optimized mining operations, enhanced safety standards, and sustainable practices that transform raw ores into valuable finished products while minimizing environmental impact.”
The MineTech start-ups will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of technology to optimize mining operations, improve safety standards, and minimize our environmental impact.
The MineTech Hub is one of ten sector specific Pan-African innovations and acceleration hubs set up across the continent under the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) timbuktoo Initiative. These hubs aim to foster entrepreneurship, catalyse investment, and drive sustainable development by investing an ambitious One billion US ollars, into 10,000 African tech-enabled start-ups, inevitably impacting 100 million livelihoods across the continent. Positioned as a Pan-African resource, the MineTech Hub will provide cutting-edge support to mining start-ups, innovators, and researchers while addressing global challenges such as climate change, ethical sourcing, and technological advancement.
"The future of Africa is in our hands. We are the only ones who hold the power to transform our continent and improve the lives of our people. Your government’s commitment to building the MineTech Hub and contributing resources toward this shared vision speaks volumes about Africa’s potential for economic independence" said Her Excellency Tiguidanke Camara the CEO of TIGUI Mining and a member of the African Influencers for Development Group.
The event brought together government officials, private sector stakeholders, academic institutions, innovators, and international partners, all united by a vision to make mining in Africa more sustainable and innovative.
As construction begins on the timbuktoo MineTech Hub, Zambia continues to demonstrate leadership in bridging the gap between traditional sectors and modern innovation. This milestone is the first step in a journey to position Africa as a leader in sustainable mining and global economic transformation.
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For more information and media interviews, contact:
Roselyne Mwila, Head of Exploration for the UNDP Accelerator Labs, roselyne.mwila@undp.org
Mercy Khozi, Communications Analyst (UNDP Zambia), mercy.khozi@undp.org, +260211386200
ABOUT UNDP
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in some 177 countries and territories, we offer a global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
ABOUT TIMBUKTOO MINETECH HUB
The MineTech Incubation Programme is designed to empower innovators and entrepreneurs within Africa’s mining industry. It is about developing cutting-edge technologies that will address key challenges in sustainability, safety, automation, resource management, and environmental impact in the mining sector. This is an opportunity for Africa to not only solve the problems facing our mining industries today but to future-proof our economies through innovation.
The timbuktoo MineTech Hub aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations of a prosperous Africa that is inclusive and sustainable with citizen empowerment and skills revolution underpinned by Science, technology and innovation.
To learn more, visit undp.org/zambia
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