President Levy Mwanawasa says he is happy that his administration has revamped the mining industry which had collapsed during the previous Government.
Dr Mwanawasa however said government still faces challenges to fully revamp the
mining sector so that it contributes to improved economy of the country.
Dr Mwanawasa said this in a speech read for him by Vice President Rupiah Banda
during the Ground Breaking ceremony of Mulianshi open pit copper mine in Luanshya
today.
The President revealed that his government has so far paid 33 Million us dollars to
former mine workers who were retrenched during privatization by the previous
government.
He added that a lot of jobs have been created for following revamping of old mines
and opening up of new ones on the copperbelt and in North-western provinces.
However Dr Mwanawasa said the government still has a lot of challenges to satisfy
the demands of the mining sector and citizen.
He said apart from more jobs to be created the sector needs to empower Citizens of
Luanshya and Zambia at large economically.
The President thanked Luanshya Copper mine PLC for empowering former Miners by
leasing out the stone crusher to them which they are using to crush stones for
commercial sale to the mine and general public.
Dr Mwanawasa vowed that his government will always encourage a risk-free investment
policy and legal frame work that allows exploitation of Zambia’s mineral resources.
Speaking earlier, Mines and Minerals Minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa said the copperbelt
province has become an attraction of investment due to increased mining activities.
Dr Mwansa attributed the resurgence of the mining sector to good government
policies, increased market prices of minerals and discoveries of more minerals
through prospecting of other mine areas.
I thought Mr Mwanawasa said there was oil and gas in Zambia. Why is he quiet all of a sudden. Was it just something he said to get money from foreign investors or to attract attention?