BHP to start Zambia mineral exploration next monthMon Sep 21,...

BHP to start Zambia mineral exploration next month
Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:46pm BST


LUSAKA, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Mining giant BHP Billiton (BILJ.J) (BHP.AX) (BLT.L) will next month start exploring for copper, gold and silver in western Zambia, the country's mines minister said on Monday.

Mines minister Maxwell Mwale said BHP planned to use specialized equipment for the mineral exploration in Africa's largest copper producer.

"They will mount specialised equipment to measure the magnetic properties of rocks," Mwale told Reuters.

"The use of the plane with modern technology will enable easy identification of copper, gold and silver deposits, which the mining company is interested in."

Mwale said Zambia would continue to encourage mining companies to venture into mineral exploration and mining to get the full benefits from the country's mineral deposits. (Editing by Muchena Zigomo)