Cole Hecker (BA IR ’26) Brings Fieldwork to Life in Zambia’s Copper Belt
During the 2026 spring break, Cole Hecker (BA IR ’26), traveled to Zambia to conduct original field research on critical mineral supply chains and international partnerships. The trip capped a year‑long directed study under Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and former US Ambassador to Zambia, Mark Storella, and combined academic research with on‑the‑ground engagement in one of Africa’s most important mining economies.
The success of this field research was made possible in large part by Professor Storella, whose longstanding expertise in U.S.–Zambian relations enabled meaningful engagement with Zambian counterparts. Hecker was joined by fellow Boston University student Zachary Taub (COM ’26), who joined in meetings and site visits throughout the trip.
Hecker’s research explores how the United States can strengthen its critical mineral supply chains through international collaboration, with Zambia serving as a central case study. Sitting at the intersection of foreign policy, economic development, and private‑sector investment, the project examines how partnerships can simultaneously enhance U.S. economic resilience and support development outcomes in resource‑rich partner countries.
Conducting the research under Storella’s supervision, Hecker said, was instrumental in shaping both the rigor and direction of the project. The former ambassador’s deep expertise in U.S.–Zambia relations also proved crucial in facilitating engagement with Zambian counterparts, who were highly receptive to the project.
“Critical minerals are not a fixed or universal category,” Hecker explained. “In the United States, they are defined by economic and national security needs, as well as by supply chains that are vulnerable to disruption. In Zambia, minerals are considered critical because of their important role in national development and long‑term growth.” Often referred to as “transition minerals,” these materials are fundamental to the global energy transition and to modern technologies more broadly.
To put this in perspective, electric vehicle batteries rely on copper, cobalt, lithium, and nickel while solar panels require silicon, silver, and copper. “There is no energy transition without critical minerals,” he said. “They are the building blocks of the 21st century.” He added,
While much of the focus is on AI, semiconductor chips, data centers, and power infrastructure, even the phones in our pockets, the laptops in our bags, and many other defining technologies of the 21st century depend on the physical materials that make them possible.
Zambia emerged as a compelling focus for the research for several reasons. The country ranks among the world’s top copper producers, has relatively stable governance, and possesses a long history in the mining sector. Culturally, minerals are so influential that the national soccer team is nicknamed the “Copper Bullets.”
Hecker’s interest was first sparked through conversations at the Zambian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and further shaped by Storella’s guidance. With global demand for copper projected to grow sharply in the coming decades, Hecker sees this moment as pivotal for strengthening U.S.–Zambia cooperation.
While in Zambia, Hecker met with officials from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, and the Zambian Development Agency, gaining insight into policy priorities and investment strategies. Officials emphasized Zambia’s National Critical Minerals Strategy (2024–2028) and a strong push toward value addition, including expanded processing and downstream manufacturing. These ambitions, they noted, will require infrastructure, technical capacity, and sustained partnerships. Hecker said the meetings reflected a forward‑looking and pragmatic mindset, with Zambia actively positioning itself within global supply chains.
The culmination of the research trip came during a site visit to the Konkola Copper Mines in the Copperbelt region near the Democratic Republic of Congo. After an eight‑hour drive from Lusaka, Hecker observed firsthand the immense scale and complexity of mining operations that employ more than 13,800 people.
The visit allowed him to connect national‑level policy discussions with real‑world implementation and to better understand the historical and emotional context surrounding mining in Zambia, including past nationalization efforts and the current emphasis on mutually beneficial partnerships. “Once you’re on the ground, you gain perspectives that no amount of desk research can replace,” he reflected.
Now back at Pardee, Hecker is consolidating his research and fieldwork into a final paper and strategic assessment aimed at providing value to policymakers and stakeholders. The experience, he said, has reinforced his interest in critical minerals, global supply chains, and international development. Hecker also learned valuable lessons that will serve him beyond this ambitious project. On carrying out field research,
“be gracious, adaptable, and confident in your ability to create value,” Hecker shared. “Don’t be deterred by unexpected changes in schedules or circumstances. The unexpected is often an opportunity you can profit from in ways you had not even anticipated.”
Hecker emphasized how much kindness and warmth he encountered by the Zambian people, and how appreciation of the region’s history, culture, and potential instilled a shared sense of optimism about the country’s future.