Mines Minister Richard Musukwa has directed Mopani Copper Mines management to immediately halt the Contract Optimization Programme.
Mr. Musukwa says the programme which seeks to restrict the mine’s supplies business to foreign contractors will negatively impact on job security on the Copperbelt where local contractors employ over Seven thousand workers.
He says the implementation of the programme will not be supported by the government because it negates the provisions of the Mines and Mineral’s Act.
Mr. Musukwa has since urged Mopani Copper Mine Management to engage all stakeholders emphasising that dialogue should be the bedrock of mining operations in Zambia.
He said government targets to have 90 per cent of Mine contracts in the hands of local suppliers.
Mr. Musukwa says this will help curtail possible schemes of transfer pricing and externalization of foreign exchange earnings.
He was speaking in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka.
Mopani Copper Mines has embarked on a contract optimisation programme before striking consensus with the government and other stakeholders.
Why is it that Africans are the only business ignorant race?
Mining Companies working to frustrate Government.
I submit.
Be warned!
50 % of copper production is no longer coming from the Copperbelt – Prof. Saasa.
Instead of focussing on production, they wasting time on administrative issues.
Things are changing. Africans should work together. These foreign entities are more tied with the devil than even you know.
Mopani MUST be made to follow KCM. We are just wasting time.
The reason Mopani behaves like this is that leaders are the people in front of the queue wanting to register as suppliers and contractors. They jostle for contracts with ordinary Zambians. The Chairman of Mopani Copper Mines is Mr Mutati, why doesn’t he speak for locals? The moment Richard Musukwa will be given a lucrative contract he’ll be quiet as well. Zambians don’t speak with food in their mouth! Musukwa hasn’t said anything about Anthony Mumba’s Private Member’s Bill which seeks to address some of these problems. Augustine Mubanga now represents himself just like Fanwell Banda did. There are 2 mine supplier associations and both have never held any elections, so what’s the difference? Mutobe ilibwe
Well said. We have a greedy Zambian Chairman in Mutati. They are a selfish family just looking at enriching themselves.
There is a lot of unpack here. Suffice it to say investors will not come into your country and succumb to incompetent suppliers and dodgy “professionals”. Open up the playing field so that your incompetent relatives and companies step aside to allow for legitimate, hard working, well meaning local suppliers step up. Is this so hard to ask?
You are still losing , 100% of supplies come from outside Zambia.
Too late. Zambia is doomed.
Some of those billions should have been used to revive manufacturing supply industries for the mines……
Elevated innovation of ignorance
The problem of having uneducated cadres as ministers. How do u such people as your leaders and expect your nation to develop?
very dull minister
The problem of having uneducated cadres as ministers. How do u have such people as your leaders and expect your nation to develop?
very dull minister
Hon Minister, order those ZCCM IH Potbellied executives to wake up and identify equity partners 51/49% and start new mines. Meanwhile tighten legislation on truant investors like Mopani and others. There will be no more blackmailing.