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The Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) has called on government to ensure that local contractors and suppliers are prioritized once Mopani Copper Mines starts to operate.
Organisation Executive Director, Samuel Banda, said this would help the country create the much needed jobs for local people as well as grow the economy.
Banda said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, following government’s announcement that it had signed an agreement with International Resources Holding (IRH) which had pledged to invest over $1.1billion in the mining firm.
He is pleased that the government had finally signed a mining deal with IRH, an equity partner to run Mopani Copper Mine.
“We the Advocates for National Development and Democracy, an organization advocating for revamping of the mining sector wish to welcome the signing of an agreement between government and International Resources,” Banda stated.
He expressed happiness that the investor had committed to invest more than US$1.1 billion for mining recapitalization and development.
Banda commended government for the decision it had taken to bring on board an investor to operate Mopani Mine, describing the move as a progressive development.
“It will help in restoring national economic and social development through Job creation, offering of business opportunities to local suppliers and contractors, we also expect our GDP to grow,” he emphasized.
He said once Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines start operating optimally, the two mines would help grow the economy, create jobs as well as bring in foreign exchange.
“As you maybe aware, we have been advocating for government to quickly engage an investor to operate Mopani mine so that it can begin to operate at optimum level and create the much needed employment and business opportunities for Zambians and contribute to national economic and social development,” Banda stated.
He noted that with this investment, the mining firm would promote trade and commerce in the country which was key in boosting the domestic economic performance.
Banda noted that once Mopani mine started to operate at optimum level, it would contribute towards the 3 million metric tonne of Copper production target per annum by 2031.
“Mopani when operating at optimum level, has a potential to contribute around 600 000 metric tonnes of copper production towards the 3 million metric tonnes copper production target per annum by 2031,” he said.
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