The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zambia’s fast-growing critical minerals sector, pledging deeper cooperation and technical assistance to the newly established Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC).
During a courtesy call on MRC Director General Dr. Tom Hara, EU Team Leader for Governance and Critical Raw Materials Bogdan Stefanescu praised government for creating an independent regulator to strengthen oversight, enhance compliance, and drive value addition in the mining industry.
He revealed that the EU is currently implementing €16 million worth of projects in Zambia, targeting skills development for artisanal miners, access to justice, and formalisation of mining enterprises. Stefanescu added that Europe is eager to expand market access for Zambia’s critical minerals, particularly components used in electric vehicle batteries, and is ready to support joint ventures between Zambian and European companies.
EU Head of Cooperation Claudio Bacigalupi stressed that the MRC will play a central role in delivering the 2023 Zambia–EU Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals, which focuses on investment facilitation, infrastructure, geological data mapping, good governance and workforce skills.
Dr. Hara said the Commission was created to improve accountability across the mining sector and now operates countrywide, conducting audits, inspections, and safety checks.
He highlighted the MRC’s use of advanced digital monitoring tools, including surveillance technologies and mineral-tracking systemsto combat illegal mining and strengthen transparency.
However, he appealed for continued support to upgrade laboratories, enhance technological capacity, and expand staff training.
The renewed partnership signals Europe’s growing interest in Zambia’s strategic copper and cobalt assets, which are vital to global clean-energy supply chains.
It also reinforces government’s push for increased value addition, stronger regulation, and a modernised mining sector capable of delivering greater economic returns.
[Talking Business Magazine, 18th March 2026]
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