SUSPENSION OF IMPORT DUTY ON CONCENTRATES TO SAVE JOBS’ By

“Most mining owners in the country have been talking about putting the mining houses on care and maintenance because they are not making a lot from the operations,”

THE

suspension of import duty on concentrates and export duty on pre- cious stones is a relief to mines and many jobs will be saved, National Union of Mines and Allied Workers of Zambia (NUMAWZ) has said.

Union president James Chansa said the suspension of the duties would enable the mining companies to make profit which was enable them to sustain their operations.

He said in an interview yesterday, the mine sector could only thrive when inves- tors were able to make mean- ingful profit.

When the mining compa- nies are making profit they will able to expand their oper- ations which will significantly benefit the nation, he said.

Mr Chansa said the move by Government would great- ly benefit the mining sector which was critical to the eco- nomic growth of the country.

“Most mining owners in the country have been talking about putting the mining houses on care and mainte- nance because they are not making a lot from the opera- tions,” he said.

They have also been appeal- ing to government through the Zambia Chamber of Mines for some reliefs through tax cuts for them to make mean- ingful profit and expand their operations as high taxes were chocking them.

But with this move especial- ly when they can be extend- ed even after the Covid-19 is curbed then things will turn around in the mining sector,” Mr Chansa said. Mr Chansa the move by government would entail that the many jobs would be protected.