MP demands engagement of local contractors in mines
MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) decision to terminate contracts of South African-based contractors should create an opportunity for local contractors, most of which have been sidelined, Kantanshi Member of Parliament Anthony Mumba has said.
Mr Mumba said he supported the decision to terminate the contracts of South African based contractors and was only hoping that local contractors would be able to take over the jobs.
He said local contractors were perceived not to have capacity because they were being denied big contracts in the mines where they could have proved their capacity.
Kantanshi constituency is in Mufulira.
“When you look at the kind of jobs local contractors are given in these mining companies, they are crumbs compared to the jobs given to these foreign companies, especially South African companies. With these crumbs, it is difficult to tell whether local contractors have capacity or not
“he decision by Mopani to terminate the contract of South African companies is very welcome if it is aimed at giving jobs to local contractors. As you know most local contractors have been sidelined for a long time,’’ Mr Mumba said
And Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors (AMSC) president, Augustine Mubanga, said his association has been engaging the Ministry of Mines regarding the challenges the suppliers and contractors were facing and that the two parties had come up with a ‘local content’
He said a ‘local content’ was aimed at ensuring that business opportunities were given to local contractors and suppliers.
Mr Mubanda said very soon, Mines Minister Richard Musukwa would sign the Statutory Instrument (SI) of the Local Content to benefit the local contractors and suppliers
“An SI would soon be signed by the Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa regarding the Local Content. So as an association, we will not take a partisan stance, but pursue Government on issues affecting our members. This is why we say we are non-partisan, but we will work with the Government of the day,’’ Mr Mubanga said