Minister of Mines, Paul Kabuswe is disappointed with the alarming level of misconduct among stakeholders in the mining value chain.
Mr. Kabuswe said there is a lack of integrity and honesty among those doing business with mining companies.
“The level of misbehavior in the mining value chain is alarming. We need a corrupt-free private sector”, Mr Kabuswe said.
He said this has contributed to mining companies closing up business opportunities for local companies.
Mr Kabuswe was speaking in Solwezi today when he called on North-Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu at his office.
He said some suppliers are delivering low-quality services which is not value for money.
“Let’s remove greed amongst us who are dealing with the mines, some suppliers are delivering low-quality goods and services. We should not just cry when we are part of the problem, that is why mining companies are opting not to do business with us,” he said.
Mr Kabuswe said a holistic approach is needed in dealing with problems in the mining sector and mining value chain.
He said the government will work towards striking a balance between Zambians and investors, adding that the focus of the UPND administration is to develop the country with a Zambian in mind.
And Mr. Lihefu appealed to the Ministry of Mines to correct the situation at Kasenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga district as foreigners have invaded the site.
“Minister, Northwestern Province is very rich in mineral resources yet one of the poorest provinces in the country. The province lags behind in terms of development,” Mr Lihefu said.
Mr Lihefu said if properly managed, the resource at Kasenseli has the potential to pay off the huge debt the country contracted and steer other developments in the country.
Zambia definitely has money, it is true that mining combined with agriculture can pay off the huge debt , But that is only when there is Local ownership and value addition. The normal “Zambian” Buy raw & Sell raw is sourmash . There is no value these days in selling a raw material. Before you jst need to hear gold! and you were rich. These day people wanna hear “a necklace made of gold” a wedding ring of diamond,etc. This is where the money is, now and the future.
This man is being too loud for nothing. Why can’t you just work instead busy doing studies of things that don’t even benefit us?.
Somebody to shout in this guy’s ears these words “Action produces the loudest result”.
Hope you won’t be the first to be reshuffled or even fired.
What exactly are you talking about and who do you have in mind? …
Using general statements. I am equally lost here. Please be specific to clear the problem.
It is up to GRZ to assist in enterprise development by assisting local suppliers. Foreign Mining companies always have excuses which unfortunately the minister is deliberately ignoring.
The UPND government must change the way Mining is done in Zambia. We must focus on developing our own Mining houses, We can no longer fighting about supplying nuts, screws and bolts to Foreign Mining companies. This must change
Mr Kabuswe when mining houses decide to buy directly from South Africa or China it’s because of our people’s conduct. Each time the companies have stopped buying locally government has always stepped in to protect the local suppliers but they (suppliers) never learn. Sometimes people get paid for delivering nothing. Conduct workshops for our people to make them appreciate the importance of doing honest business.
HEHH needs to urgently look at import substitution in the supply chain……
We are gifting jobs to SA and China……
Manufacturing almost all supplies for mines in zambia is a win win situation…..
Most mines have a atleast 20 years life span……….guaranteed customers……
Then the mines in DRC also use similar supplies………here is another massive market……
This is where the new GRZ should look for creating jobs…….
I am happy that you have realised that the bigger problem with local suppliers, especially mine suppliers, is poor quality of service offered by this category of business people. They never deliver on time even after paying them 30% down payment. Sometimes they deliver out of spec materials..it is nightmare!
Bloggers my account has been cloned by someone craving for attention using it to troll…I wont mention it as that is what it wants.. attention which it has not been getting lately so again it has resorted to slandering me. It will go to the extent of even responding to it comments using different alias.
So be wary!!
People here are always blaming foreign mining companies as the reason for poverty in Zambia, but yet, everyone would love to work for Barrick and Fqm because they pay better unlike local mines.
Kabuswe has so far made 2 alarming statements. He first lambasted management at the 2 government owned mines that as Zambians they were incapable of running the mines. This was obviously to prepare for the takeover by Anglo. Now he’s attacked suppliers and contractors, this is obviously to prepare for the introduction of a new cadre of suppliers and contractors. Zambians shouldn’t expect anything good from Kabuswe but he won’t implement his agenda without a fight. I don’t see him going as far as 2026, else he’ll leave together with his boss. This is the problem of having foreign entities sponsor political parties, it’s time for payback but you won’t have it easy
What Bally must understand is that Zambians have decided to run the mines because they haven’t seen any meaningful benefits whenever foreign entities have seized their operations. It wasn’t Edgar Lungu who made that decision. We didn’t elect him to undo everything that his predecessor did. If that’s the path he wants to take he’ll soon meet his Waterloo. 2026 takapite
Its good the Minister of Mines Hon. Paul Kabuswe has come out straight on our the behaviour of our local contractors poor service delivery and this is not just confined to the mining sector but other sectors as well. Our local contractors have to change their mind sets and ensure that when awarded contracts they deliver accordingly rather than disappearing in thin airs and at times delivering goods or services of poor and low quality. There is no one who can develop this country other than ourselves. On Kasenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga District, I much earlier stated that such mining activities brings with it a lot of problems such as influx of foreigners, criminals, prostitutes, and these have negative effects on the local communities. In case for those that are young during UNIP…
Mr Kabuswe has got a big mouth. He is very good in complaining, but so far he has not made even ONE constructive suggestion; the sign of bad government. Good governance comes from a positive approach – breaking things down without giving a proper solution don’t work.
Minister talking to minister in public. Are these members of the same government?