Kansanshi Mine to support local businesses

JACKSON MAPAPAYI KANSANSHI Mining PLC has pledged to support the local business community in North Western Province by creating an enabling environment for them to thrive.

The mining company said it would do this by offering capacity building workshops to local suppliers and contractors to enable them to become competitive in the tendering processes.

Speaking during a closed door meeting between the Patriotic Front (PF) provincial team, North Western Chamber of Commerce and mine management, Kansanshi mine general manager Rudi Bardenhorst highlighted a few weaknesses that usually caused the local companies to be disqualified when it comes to contracts.

The meeting was called to find a transparent, equitable and mutual beneficial road map in empowering the local business community and contractors as well as job creation.

Mr Bardenhorst observed that most companies did not know much about the bidding process and that failure to fully comply with the required documentation was another setback that resulted in local companies being disqualified.

He however pledged to introduce educative and capacity building workshops where local companies would be trained and empowered in modern bidding tendering process and procurement systems.

"Thus, we believe we would make the local companies competitive even at international level. So, this is our pledge and we will do just that," Mr Bardernhorst said.