VLA LES BRESILIENS ....
Mine suppliers hail State efforts in mining sector
By Times Reporter
THE Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association of Zambia (MSACZ) has welcomed Government’s efforts to step up investments in the mining sector by attracting more players from Brazil.
MSACZ president Fanwell Banda said in an interview yesterday that he was happy that Government had sourced additional investment in the mining sector from Brazil to add to the existing mining leaders such as Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).
Mr Banda said the association would always welcome efforts of investment in any sector, particularly mining, because increased the viability of the Zambian economy.
The new investments would also give contractors and suppliers a wider choice of mining companies with whom to do business and provide healthy competition to firms like KCM.
Mr Banda said he was aware that the Brazilians would inject about US$400 million into the Copperbelt, and that the contractors hoped once the investment was fully operational, local companies would actively participate.
Though the investment was expected to employ about 2,000 Zambians, local companies should also be enlisted as suppliers and contractors of that investment, he said.
Mr Banda said foreign investors should be encouraged to give more business opportunities to local suppliers and contractors.