Govt lays out preconditions for foreign firms seeking to do business with Mopani Copper Mine

Commerce, Trade, and Industry Minister, Chipoka Mulenga, has announced that foreign contractors wishing to conduct business with mining firms must partner with local companies.

Mulenga emphasized that this move, particularly for Mopani Copper Mine (MCM), aimed to ensure capital support, equal revenue sharing and skill transfer.

Mulenga clarified that the initiative was designed to promote skill transfer and assist local contractors with strong capital bases to sustain their operations, not to suppress any businesses.

He made these remarks during a business breakfast meeting sponsored by ZANACO at the Copperbelt, Mining, Agricultural, and Industrial Trade Expo (CAMINEX) in Kitwe on Tuesday.

“In the past, when all jobs were open for tender, our Zambian contractors, who had little capital, could not access those jobs due to insufficient financing capacity.

“Therefore, as Mopani comes into play, foreign entrepreneurs wanting to do business with Mopani should establish partnerships with existing local contractors and entrepreneurs. This approach aims to foster collaboration rather than suppress any businesses,” he explained.

Mulenga further stated the government’s desire was to enhance and encourage partnerships and joint ventures between foreign and local contractors.

He noted the necessity of growing the economy and creating industries that would generate associated tax revenues.

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