ZAM calls for policy expedition to increase uptake of local products in mines

GOVERNMENT should expedite the formation of a legal framework that promotes the uptake of local products and services in the mining industry to safeguard manufacturers and assure their investment.

With the investment currently trickling into the mining industry, manufacturers are also positioning themselves for growth by aligning themselves to the opportunities that will arise in the mining industry, especially in procurement.

This is according to the Zambia Association of Manufactures (ZAM) Membership and Business Development Officer at the Copperbelt office, Richard Zulu.

Mr Zulu said Zambian manufacturers were producing various goods which were consumed in the mines such as nuts and bolts, fabricated metallic components and castings, mill and crusher wear parts to mention a few with the hope of having the mines as a major market.

From a policy and legal front, he said, the continued low uptake of local content by the mining industry had sparked debate on the need to revise the mining local content legislation in order to increase the mines procurement of local goods and services.

He said this in his write up on Catalysing Manufacturing Growth by Increasing Mining Local Content.

Mr Zulu said a revised Mines and Minerals Development Act would ensure local manufactures and service provider’s benefit from the projected copper boom.

He indicated that ZAM, on the other hand, had initiated a number of projects aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and growth of the manufacturing sector.

Notably, Mr Zulu said, to encourage procurement of local goods and services, ZAM had partnered with Kansanshi Mining Plc, which granted the association members preferential treatment to supply goods and services.