Ivanhoe Mines expands exploration footprint with new Zambian licences

Ivanhoe Mines has secured a significant package of new exploration licences from the government of the Republic of Zambia, covering 7,757 sq km in the North-Western Province—an area believed to be a continuation of the Central African Copperbelt

This development stems from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 10 September 2024 between Ivanhoe Mines and Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, which has since aided Ivanhoe in identifying prospective licences and shared geological survey data.

Strategically located between Ivanhoe’s Western Forelands Project in the DRC and its Angolan licence package, the Zambian licences are more than three times the size of the Western Forelands area. Ivanhoe plans to explore for various mineralisation systems, including Basement Domes, sediment-hosted copper, and iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, supported by geological evidence suggesting the extension of copper-rich Nguba Group sediments into Zambia.

Copper exploration expands

In parallel, Ivanhoe is continuing its US$50mn exploration program in the Western Forelands. The 2025 campaign will involve 102,000 metres of diamond drilling and 18,000 metres of RC drilling, with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Makoko, Kitoko and Makoko West expected soon.

The president of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema commented, “Today, we welcome Ivanhoe Mines’ new chapter into Zambia’s mining industry -one that promises jobs, growth, and prosperity for our people. This new investment in copper exploration is not only about achieving our government’s vision of over 3 million tonnes of copper production by 2031, it’s also about unlocking opportunities, empowering communities, and ensuring that our resources benefit every Zambian. Together, we will build an economy that works for all, with transparency, fairness, and a shared vision for the future.”

Ivanhoe Mines co-chairman Robert Friedland added, “Our entrance into Zambia marks an exciting new chapter in Ivanhoe Mines’ commitment to expanding our exploration footprint and testing the extent of the Central African Copperbelt… We believe there are plenty of new tier-one copper discoveries yet to be found under shallow Kalahari sands.”

The Zambian licence area—previously surveyed by BHP in the 2000s—has been largely unexplored since 2015. A new airborne geophysical survey by Zambia’s Ministry of Mines is currently underway, saving Ivanhoe months of data acquisition work.

Exploration activities are set to begin in Q2 2025. Ivanhoe will first conduct environmental baseline studies and community engagement, followed by detailed geophysical and geochemical work. These will map the vast area and guide future diamond drilling.

“We are particularly encouraged by the proactive support and collaborative approach demonstrated by the Zambian government… This includes a key role of partnership that Zambia is playing in terms of improving the regional hydroelectric power supply and distribution,” concluded Friedland.

Ivanhoe believes its Zambian and Angolan licences share notable geological traits with its record-setting discoveries in the DRC and is optimistic that these efforts will uncover the world’s next major copper deposits.

Also read: Ivanhoe Mines reshape DRC’s copper and zinc future