Scott applauds mining sector
Lusaka, June 24, 2014,ZANIS…Vice President Dr Guy Scott has praised the Mining Sector in the country for contributing hugely to the economic development of Zambia.
Dr Scott said the role the mining sector is performing in this area of development cannot be left un noticed.
The Vice President was speaking today when he officially opened the Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition meeting at government Complex in Lusaka.
He said although the working relationship with the mining sector is conduce and beneficial, there is need for more to be done to harmonise some of the mining legal laws for proper existence between government and the mining community in Zambia.
He said the Zambian community needs to benefit from the minerals being extracted by the mining firms as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Dr Scott said there is huge mining activities in North -Western Province being done where thousands of jobs have been created by the mines through working with the government of the day.
He said the nation is hugely dependent on the copper mining sector to steer its economic prosperity.
Speaking at the same event Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said mining was a corner stone of national development for the benefit of the citizens.
Mr Yaluma said this was the reason why government was eager to have a sound and beneficial working relationship with the mining fraternity in Zambia.
He stated that Zambia will be able to meet the target of 1.5 million tonnes of copper extracted in the next few years.
Mr Yaluma hinted that thousand of jobs have been created since government started opening up the mining sector citing North Western Province as the best example.
And President of the Chamber of Mines in Zambia Emmanuel Mutati said the improvement in the copper production will no doubt benefit the Zambian people in the coming years.
Mr Mutati said the production rate of copper in Zambia has been increasing annually although there is need for to be done .
He noted that with support of government and other co-operating partners Zambia will be able to increase its copper and other mineral production.
dts great