Mine suppliers want regular dialogue with State

GOVERNMENT must structure quarterly dialogue with all the stakeholders in the mining sector to understand how is performing, the Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC) has suggested.

AMSC president Augustine Mubanga said quarterly dialogue meetings with all the stakeholders in the mining sector would analyse performance indicators and also resolve various issues.

Mr Mubanga said at the weekend that it was good that there were no serious contentions in the 2020 National Budget which had been disputed by the mining companies.

“The fact that there are no serious contentions in the 2020 budget that have been disputed by the mining companies, is in itself a positive outlook. But the government must structure dialogue at least every quarter just to understand how the sector is performing with all the stakeholders in the sector.

“In 2019, there were a lot of mistrust between the mining companies and Government.

To promote this sector which is key to our economic advancement, transparency and creating a sense of

trust are very important,’’ Mr Mubanga said.

AMSC, he said, would always demand local participation in the mining sector and that all the mining companies should exhaust local capacity before exploring foreign option.

He said the association would continue to speak for members and promote their interests by engaging with government which a parent and the mines that were their partners.

“Demanding for local participation in the sector is simply noble and right, all the mining companies should endeavour to exhaust local capacity.

“In the past, we have received a raw deal from the mines and they have used all sorts of excuses to exclude the participation of local companies. We are committed to ensuring that preference is given to locals and also capacitating them in ensuring that the law is

observed,’’ he said