"Japan, Zambia to Boost Cooperation in Mineral Discovery" 12 August 2023

"JOINT STATEMENT ON COOPERATION IN THE MINING SECTOR BETWEEN THE MINISTER OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF JAPAN AND THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA" 11 August 2023

Japan will expand cooperation with Zambia in the exploration of minerals essential for electric vehicles and other products as part of efforts to secure key resources, the government has said...

The Japanese government plans to strengthen the supply chain for key minerals by supporting the development of mines, an often burdensome undertaking, through government-led initiatives to encourage Japanese companies to expand into Africa.

The exploration project will focus on copper produced in the south-central African country, as well as other key minerals such as cobalt and nickel, which are used as raw materials for EV batteries.

The two countries agreed to conduct exploration across Zambia using high-performance sensors mounted on Japanese satellites.

During Nishimura’s visit to Africa, both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia have also agreed to cooperate with Japan in the exploration of key minerals and the establishment of supply networks.

With China expanding its investments in Africa to acquire raw materials, Japan also intends to promote Japanese investment in Zambia from the perspective of economic security.

A public-private conference on mining investment was also held in Zambia, and was attended by 11 companies, including Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Tsusho Corp...

Both Ministers affirmed that the following perspectives are important for expanding the bilateral cooperation in the mining sector...

• Creating responsible and resilient critical minerals supply chains by applying higher Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and by committing to open, transparent and rule- and market-based trade in critical minerals, as well as by opposing market-distorting measures and monopolistic policies on critical minerals...