PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday took time away from the billion-dollar launch speeches of the Kansanshi S3 expansion project to pay tribute to the late Philip Pascal, the co-founder of First Quantum Minerals (FQM)and a man he credited with breathing new life into Kansanshi Mine.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cf6udJTbP
During the commissioning of the US$1.25 billion project, President Hichilema led dignitaries, traditional leaders and mine executives in observing a minute of silence for Pascal, whom he described as the pioneer who kept faith in Kansanshi when many thought the mine had no future.
Pascal passed away on September 19, 2023.
The President recalled meeting him more than three decades ago when the idea of reopening Kansanshi appeared far-fetched.
At the time, the mine had been shut down and most investors showed no interest in reviving it.
Yet Pascal, he said, carried a vision that has now turned into one of Zambia’s most successful mining stories.
“Philip once told me, ‘I’m just a small man with big dreams for Zambia.’ Well, here we are. This project is part of that dream, and today we honour him,” President Hichilema said.
According to the President, Pascal’s determination not only revived Kansanshi but also inspired further investment across the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces, laying the foundation for what has become Zambia’s mining resurgence.
The S3 expansion, that was commissioned two days ago will extend the life of Kansanshi by 25 years and raise production from 71,000 tonnes to 240,000 tonnes annually.
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 21, 2025
