Transparency, accountability would be yardstick to measure who takes over Mopani mines

Government will carry out due diligence in selecting the investor to takeover operations at the Mopani Copper Mines.

This is according to the Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane.

Musokotwane said government would uphold accountability and transparency during the selection process.

“This is to allow a fair and competitive selection process because mining has continued to be a leader in job creation and that it can provide other economic opportunities for the country through increased copper production,” he said during bilateral engagements on the side-lines of the on-going Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa.

Musokotwane also noted that the Indaba had provided a vital platform for networking and investment opportunities.

He pointed out that the number of companies willing to invest in Zambia was overwhelming.

Zambia, he said, had many business opportunities for international investors as witnessed by many stakeholders inquiring about our country.

Musokotwane stated that Zambia had become a destination of choice for Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) due to its political stability, a conducive business environment, and ease of doing business.

“Government optimisation of the mining sector remains top on the agenda in its quest to position Zambia as a mining hub and that since coming into power, the current Government has taken every necessary policy step to ensure that Zambia realises full economic benefits from the sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said his ministry was engaging various investors to secure key partnerships towards accelerating economic development in the country.

Speaking on Thursday when he toured stands at the exhibition centre in Cape Town, Kabuswe said he was happy that Zambia was well represented and had attracted many investors willing to collaborate and share ideas on unlocking the mining opportunities.

“Africa should stop wasting time holding conference and talking about potential but actualise this potential into tangible results.

“The minister also called for mutual respect by both investors with money and countries with minerals,” he said.

Government is targeting to increase copper production to three million metric tonnes in the next 10 years and this requires that production efforts in various mines are ramped up.

The Zambian delegation at the Indaba comprises officials from State House, officials from the Ministries of Mines, Finance, and National Planning, Commerce, Trade, and Industry.

ZANACO, ZCCM -IH, Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Zambia High Commission in South Africa are also present.

The Mining Indaba has attracted 9000 delegates, 500 investors, 530 mining companies and 48 ministers from different countries.

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