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Zambia: Government commends Kansanshi mining PLC
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ambassador Lucy Mungoma says apart from the taxes to government, Kansanshi Mine has, through its elaborate and comprehensive social responsibility programmes helped to uplift the living standards of the people in Solwezi and North Western Province as a whole.
ZANIS reports that speaking when the Zambian Envoys abroad toured the mine in Solwezi yesterday, Amb.Mungoma said government is proud of the many contributions the company was making towards changing the face of the province.
She noted that through the massive contributions in the areas of health, Education, road infrastructure, employment creation, among others, Kansanshi was helping the local people appreciate the value of the investment in the area.
Ambassador Mungoma said the various programmes the company was conducting in the province and Solwezi in particular are important in both its survival and that of the local people.
She appealed to other investors to seriously consider putting in place programmes that directly benefit communities in which they operate.
She said this was the only way people can appreciate such investments.
“We are impressed with the level of investment here and the initiative of ensuring that the local community benefits directly from this investment.
“It is our wish as government to see as many of our investors as possible create opportunities for our people because this is the only way such investment can be appreciated,” she said.
She explained that the tour of the mine and other areas was meant to expose Zambian envoys abroad to key sectors of the economy.
Tomorrow the delegation is expected to visit the Kasumbalesa Boarder Post and later proceed to visit the Nansanga farm block in Mkushi Central province.
And Dean of the Zambian envoys abroad, Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika expressed happiness at the level of commitment Kansanshi Mining Plc has exhibited towards the development of Solwezi and North Western Province.
Dr. Mbikusita-Lewanika, who is also Zambia’s Envoy to Belgium said the Zambian envoys abroad will do their best to further market the country as an investment destination.
She also said the tour of the mining operations at the mine would enable the envoys confidently articulate issues surrounding the operations of the mine and the mining industry as a whole.
She was particularly impressed that apart from making profits, the company was seriously investing in Education which she said was key to the growth of the economy.
Earlier, Kansanshi Mining Plc Head of Public Relations, Godfrey Msiska told the delegation that his company was continuing to enjoy cordial working relations with government and the surrounding community.
Mr. Msiska also assured the diplomats that Kansanshi will continue designing programmes that will directly benefit the local community.
He said currently the company has set aside over K30 billion to be spent in areas of education, health among others.
Mr. Msiska also said that the company would soon commence works to revamp Solwezi Hospital and turn it into a modern health facility.
He further said that the company intends to increase its copper production levels from about 245,000 tonnes to 400,000 by the year 2014, making it the third largest copper producer in the world.