Policy centre calls for urgent adoption of technological innovations in mining industry

The Policy and Monitoring Research Centre (PMRC) has called for urgent adoption of technological innovations in Zambia’s mining sector to reduce operational costs.

Sydney Mwamba, PMRC Executive Director, in a statement issued on Monday said this was more urgent for mining companies grappling with depleting resources and while trying to remain sustainable and competitive at minimal costs.

“The adoption of technological innovations in Zambia’s copper mine sector is more than urgent especially mines on the copper who are grappling with depleting resources and while trying to remain sustainable and competitive at minimal costs.

“The adoption of these technological innovations will help the mines in zambia lessen their costs, while increasing their production and improving their mineral recovery amidst the need to increase production to three million metric tons as a country,” Mwamba said.

Mwamba also called for the development of a legal framework that would govern the small and artisanal miners (ASM).

He observed that there had been an increase in the contribution of ASM to Zambia’s annual copper production from about 5000 metric tonnes per annum in 2017 to 26,000 metric tonnes per annum in 2021.

“This potential in this subsector must be harnessed not only for quantities but also as a source of government revenue.

“Therefore, the government must encourage the formalisation of ASM and increase their contribution towards the 3 million metric tonnes by developing a tax regime for ASM,” Mwamba said.

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