By: African mining market

The 13th Zambia International Mining & Energy Conference & Exhibition (ZIMEC 2026) will focus on accelerating mineral exploration as the cornerstone of Zambia's future, aiming to de-risk the discovery of new deposits through technology, partnerships, and smart policy. Supported by the Zambian government, the conference, under the theme “Promoting Responsible Investment & Partnerships to Sustainably Grow Zambia’s Mining and Energy Sectors,” will bring together government leaders, mining companies, and investors to position Zambia as a future critical minerals hub.

A central feature will be the Exploration Panel, titled “Accelerating mineral discovery: De-risking exploration and leveraging technology to advance the search for minerals.” This session will address key topics such as leveraging modern geoscientific data, creating investor-friendly policy frameworks, supporting junior mining companies, and deploying AI and national data systems like the Zambia Integrated Mining Information System (ZIMIS) to guide discovery.

The conference will spotlight real-world momentum, including Ivanhoe Mines' $50 million copper exploration program, new partnerships by firms like Giant Mineral Fields, and national initiatives like a high-resolution aerial geophysical survey. These efforts underscore Zambia's active push to build the infrastructure and incentives for efficient mineral discovery. The panel will facilitate interactive discussions among geoscientists, investors, and officials, offering networking opportunities for deals and partnerships.