Maxtech Ventures Inc. started the application process to form a new Zambian division of the company, Maxtech Zambia, to be located in Lusaka.

The new unit will work with the company's joint venture partner, GeoQuest, to identify and acquire manganese-prospective assets.

Maxtech CEO Peter Wilson said Feb. 19 in a statement that Maxtech Zambia will focus on supplying product to the recently opened Indian chemical processing plants in Zambia, and ship manganese directly to India.

Recently, Maxtech agreed to a strategic cooperation with Kiuso Corp. of Toronto and Kabwe, Zambia, allowing Maxtech to jointly explore, evaluate, develop and potentially acquire manganese and other battery metals assets such as vanadium in Zambia.