WE’RE BUYING MORE FROM LOCALS – LUMWANA MINE
CLOSE to US$5 billion in goods and services has to date been purchased from Zambian registered businesses by Lumwana Mine since it went into production in 2011.
For 2023 alone, the mine procured expenditure worth US$472 million, says Barrick Lumwana Sustainability Manager, Christopher Mukala.
Mr Mukala said at a media briefing in Solwezi on Tuesday that this was out of US$585 million, which represented 81 percent of the mine’s total procurement spent.
He also talked about the mine’s continuous review of local spend to ensure that suppliers with quality products, at the right price, were given preference in business opportunities.
“The business accelerator programme, established in 2022 by Barrick Lumwana to enhance Zambian contractors’ capacity in its mining supply chain, has supported SMEs growth plans, diversified their markets and fostered independence and sustainability beyond Lumwana’s life of mine,” he said. Mr Mukala also said the mine had increased purchases from local community suppliers in Matebo, Mukumbi and Mumena chiefdoms by 66 percent. He pointed out that the mine had established local development campaign to encourage local suppliers to have joint ventures with the aim of building capacity.
“We have identified and initiated partnerships with experienced leading local companies to increase construction capacity for local suppliers.
“We also have a supplier day held for local suppliers to showcase capabilities and services. Kalonga’s role in Lumwana supply chain and its objectives of growing local content explained,” Mr Mukala said.