LUSAKA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Monday welcomed the decision by Canadian mining giant, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited, to invest an additional 1.25 billion U.S. dollars in its operations in Zambia, a government agency has said.

       The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH), an entity that holds shares in all mining firms on behalf of the government, said the additional investment will lead to renewed vibrancy in the mining sector.

       "We are pleased to partner with FQM in a manner that will build the economy and create jobs for inclusive growth in our country," Dolika Banda, the ZCCM-IH Board Chairperson said in a release.

       This should demonstrate to the investment world that Zambia is open for business, she added.

       The Canadian miner said the new investment, which was part of its expansion drive for its Kansanshi mine in northwestern Zambia, will extend the life of the mine until the 2040s. It will also increase copper and gold production by about 25 percent.

       The expansion project will include expanding the existing sulfide processing capacity, additional concentrator capacity as well as the construction of an overland conveyor to transfer crushed ore, among other works.

       ZCCM-IH has a 20 percent shareholding in Kansanshi mine.

       Meanwhile, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has called for deliberate steps to ensure sustainable development and management of mineral resources in Africa.

       In remarks delivered at the ongoing Mining Indaba Conference in South Africa, the Zambian president said it was time for Africa to not only focus on producing raw materials but maximizing the mineral potential to create opportunities for people.