Zambia, China sign deal on geological mapping cooperation

Zambia and China have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate in mapping the southern African nation's geology, state media reported on Tuesday.

The agreement will see the two countries' geological survey departments cooperating for geological mapping for the next five years, according to state broadcaster, the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

The first phase of the mapping exercise under the Chinese government assistance started in 2010.

Zambia's Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma said 89 percent of the country has not yet been mapped, and that the record of mapped areas were done with old technology.

The minister said the mapping will ensure that the ministry has updated records that will allow investors to know what they were investing in.

The Chinese government, he said, has increased funding for the mapping exercise from 29 million yuan to 110 million yuan.

The mapping exercise, currently being conducted in northern Zambia's Kasama town, will be extended to other parts of the country under the new agreement.

Yaluma further said the government targets to increase the country's copper production from last year's 710,000 tons to over 800,000 tons this year. Endit