by Victoria Patti | June 10, 2026

The Payne Institute at Colorado School of Mines Launches a new Research Project with The Rockefeller Foundation to Accelerate Rural Electrification in Zambia

Research Project: Artisanal Mining as a Catalyst for Rural Electrification in Zambia

GOLDEN, CO & LUSAKA, ZAMBIA — The Payne Institute for Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines is pleased to announce a new research project, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation. This twelve-month project will evaluate the role of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) as a critical “base-load” demand driver to improve the commercial viability of rural mini-grids in Zambia in order to deliver reliable, affordable electricity to underserved communities in Zambia.

The project is aligned with Mission 300 (M300), an ambitious effort to provide electricity to 300 million people in Africa by 2030. While agricultural demand is often seasonal, Zambia’s ASM sector operates year-round.

“Securing reliable, year-round demand is the missing piece of the puzzle for mini-grid sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa. By looking at artisanal mining not just as an industry, but as a productive energy partner, we can unlock the financial frameworks necessary to bring power to underserved regions. We are proud to partner with The Rockefeller Foundation to turn this data into actionable policy.” Clarkson Kamurai, Critical Minerals Program Manager at Payne Institute for Public Policy

Working in collaboration with the University of Zambia, the World Bank, and Zambia’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Payne Institute will conduct field research across five provinces. The project will deliver a Techno-Commercial Viability Brief to provide a roadmap for developers and financiers like the African Development Bank and Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet to scale energy access across the continent.

About The Payne Institute

The mission of the Payne Institute at Colorado School of Mines is to provide world-class scientific insights, helping to inform and shape public policy on earth resources, energy, and environment. The Institute was established with an endowment from Jim and Arlene Payne and seeks to link the strong scientific and engineering research and expertise at Mines with issues related to public policy and national security.

For more information about the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Greg Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.