ZAMBIA’S GOVT ADVOCATES LOCAL SOURCING TO EMPOWER MINING COMMUNITIES
The Zambian government has acknowledged the enduring challenges confronting mining communities and believes that these issues can be effectively addressed if mining companies prioritize sourcing services and supplies locally.
Minister of Mines, PAUL KABUSWE, emphasized that these communities have long been deprived of the full benefits of their natural resources.
He expressed the government’s commitment to curbing the widespread outflow of resources and opportunities away from local communities.
Addressing the 2023 Mining Local Content Conference in Kitwe, Mr. KABUSWE, through Copperbelt Deputy Permanent Secretary DANIEL KAMENGA, highlighted the positive impact of promoting local content as a means to tackle the issues faced by mining communities not only in Zambia but also across the African continent.
At the same event, Christopher Mukala, the Sustainability Manager at Lumwana Mining Company, encouraged local businesses engaged in supplying the mining industry to foster innovation, as there are numerous untapped opportunities within the sector.
And Margaret Musonda, Procurement Superintendent at Mopani Copper Mines, emphasized her company’s deliberate efforts to support local vendors and level the competitive playing field, discouraging unfair competition from foreign suppliers and contractors.
The 2023 Mining Local Content Conference in Kitwe on the Copperbelt was organized by the Zambia Association of Manufacturers, providing a platform to discuss and address the vital issue of promoting local participation and development in the mining sector.
