Government says it is creating opportunities for both local and foreign investors, while ensuring increased participation of local enterprises and small-scale miners in Zambia’s mining sector.
Acting Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Tobias Musonda says the government has invested heavily in understanding the country’s mineral potential to support targeted exploration and attract investment into new mining projects.
Mr Musonda says the opportunities extend across the mineral value chain, including upstream activities, mining and downstream processing.
He said the government is committed to providing a stable policy environment and security of tenure for license holders to encourage long-term investment in the sector.
“We are trying, as a government, to ensure that there is stability in the policy environment vis-à-vis the mining sector transition, but also ensuring security of tenure for license holders,” Mr Musonda said.
Mr Musonda noted that the government is also implementing local content measures to ensure mining companies support local enterprises and strengthen linkages between the mining sector and the wider economy.
He said job creation and Corporate Social Responsibility are also critical components of the government’s investment agenda.
Mr Musonda also said the government has continued to improve the efficiency of the mining licensing regime, noting that processing a licence previously took about 200 days.
He further added that the reforms are aimed at creating an open, transparent and investor-friendly mining environment while ensuring that investment translates into jobs, local business opportunities and broader economic benefits.
And speaking in a separate interview with the media, Association of Zambia Women in Mining President Namakau Kaingu has welcomed the government’s efforts to strengthen the small-scale mining sector, saying the initiative will empower women economically and increase their contribution to national development.
Ms Kaingu says the government’s engagement with large-scale mining companies to create opportunities for small-scale miners will enable women to access mining areas, equipment and markets.She said the initiative is timely as Zambia works towards increasing copper production to three million tonnes annually.
Ms Kaingu said some large-scale mining companies have already set aside portions of their mining areas for women miners and are willing to support small-scale operators with equipment and markets for their minerals.
She cited mining companies working with women miners, saying such partnerships have the potential to accelerate growth in the sector.
“For us, we are happy because it is going to empower us economically and also increase our contribution to the economy through sales and taxes,” Ms Kaingu said.
Ms Kaingu further commended the government for introducing reforms in the mining sector, saying the changes have created greater opportunities for small-scale miners.She said the ongoing training of small-scale miners will equip them with the skills required to participate meaningfully in the industry.
