SOLWEZI residents differed with the Chamber of Mines at a heated public discussion on mining taxes, with some saying Lumwana and Kansanshi mining companies were giving Solwezi a raw deal.
Chamber of Mines general manager, Frederick Bantubonse articulated benefits of mining investments which he said accrued even before metal production commenced, but stakeholders to the meeting at the weekend were not convinced.
Mr Bantubonse said major benefits included economic and social infrastructure, taxes, employment, which he explained had risen from 19,000 at the time of privatisation to 24,000 people working in the mines, with another 24,000 created by contractors.
And with the Chamber of Mines representative accused of being defensive, the stakeholders wished Lumwana and Kansanshi were there to discuss for themselves the subject of “Mining Tax: An Endless Tug of War?”
The stakeholders were also disappointed that Solwezi Municipal Council shunned the meeting organised by Caritas, Centre for Policy and Development, Economics Association of Zambia, and Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia.
A local economist, Al Gwanu said the Chamber of Mines should have discussed challenges of the mines instead of just the positives, while another resident said with little benefits for Solwezi, it would be better to leave the minerals untouched for the future generation.
Allan Soneka accused the Chamber of Mines of being defensive, and wondered why mining companies were giving jobs which the Zambians were capable of doing to expatriates.
Former politician, Alina Nyikosa wondered whether mining companies knew that there was need for a ring road in Solwezi due to the damage caused to the Chingola-Solwezi (Lumwana) Road by heavy trucks.
And Kennedy Muluka wondered why Lumwana was distributing environmental booklets on radiation awareness written in English to villagers who could not read the foreign language.
Another resident wonderered why there was only talk of copper and not other minerals at Kansanshi and Lumwana, when Kansanshi was mining gold and had even built a gold plant.
An economist representing the provincial administration, Rodney Machila said he had taken note of the concerns raised and said that, among other measures, a ring road for Solwezi had been proposed in the Sixth National Development Plan and in the integrated development plan for Solwezi.
[Times of Zambia]
Mr. Capitalist, this is what I said when you were refering to imaginary benefits we Zambians have gained from these so called developments. Like my ersterwhile friend Dr. Allan Soneka said, people in authority are too defensive to see that there is no gain atall for the locals.
So there is gold in Solwezi and the govt is quite about it! Advise to the people of solwezi is that do not wait for middle men politicians, take matters in your own hands, engage State house and the mining company directly.
Its a cliche now that Africa is being ripped off and we non the wiser.
I wonder when we will wake up. . .
I agree with #1. Sabotage also did wonders during the aparthied regime, but i doubt if Zambians are capable of doing anything …
Yesterday, the Capitalists MMD were saying that the mines have benefited us. Just like my ersterwhile friend Dr.Allan Soneka says- our GRZ/MMD are too defensive to see that there is nothing coming to the locals.
AS LONG AS CARITAS IS INVOLVED IT SMELLS OS BUKATOLIKA
N/western province residents have a serious point.The bazungu’s have just built themselves disposable nice houses in an isolated place leaving the vast area unattented to.
However,they are not obliged to built anything nive,its the Alaa-Bee regime that need to put up good infrastructure there,but the dude aint just around in Zed,always servicing “invitations”
Caritas = Catholic = Freemasons = Illuminati = Satanists.
Not surprising that Bantubonse is defending the people that contribute to his own lifestyle, it is incumbent on people such as Dr Soneka to help fight on behalf of the people by bringing these things in the open, it is unfortunate that the government does not take these things seriously.
Throughout the world, investment is required but you need systems in place that is equitable in sharing the proceeds between the owners and those that extract it, GRZ should be at the forefront of getting the best deal for Zambia and its people. The encouraging news is North Westerners are alive to the issues and hopefully can begin fighting for the best deal for the province.
Nzambi atuhembi
Why is that in Zambia investors are mining resources for a song, while the next door Angola Investors respect the owners of the country (enya chifuchi anagola).
I was a this meeting and you should have see how people were so upset, what is key is that we all have started to realise that every one needs to be part of this fight otherwise our grand children will suffer more that we are suffering becuse they will be dealing with the mass we are creating without puting sustainable measures to with the them.
Rather concentrate on the activities of the Chinese in Zambia. Their prisoners are being brought in to work on all kinds of projects including the mines. Remember Australia was colonized by British prisoners!