Copperbelt based good Governance activist Peter Mulenga has demanded equal opportunities for local entities at Mopani Copper Mines.
A group of local suppliers and contractors is threatening to stage a protest over alleged unfair awarding of contracts at Mopani.
In reaction, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo says he has launched investigations into complaints from local suppliers and contractors alleging that they are being denied business opportunities at Mopani in preference to foreign firms.
Mr. Mulenga said he supports Minister Matambo’s decision to launch investigations into complaints from local suppliers that they are being denied business opportunities by Mopani Copper Mines.
Mr. Mulenga said local suppliers and contractors should not be discriminated against in their own country.
He called for equal supply and contracting opportunities for qualified local suppliers adding that marginalized groups should have equal access to all supply and contracting opportunities at the mine.
“We demand equal opportunities at Mopani Mine. The time has come for us to raise our voices against the systemic inequality at Mopani Mine, where local suppliers are still denied equal opportunities for contracts. When Glencore withdrew from Mopani, The Mine depended/benefited from the hard work and sacrifices of local suppliers, but those same suppliers—especially those from the Copperbelt—are still denied the equal opportunities they deserve. This is not just about supply and contracting; it is about justice, dignity, and the right to thrive,” Mr. Mulenga said.
“Suppliers wanted to Protest Because: Discrimination in Supply and Contracting: Local suppliers and historically disadvantaged groups are still being excluded from high-paying contracts at the mine, despite having the necessary experience and skills. Lack of Social Investment: The mine profits heavily from the resources beneath our feet, but the surrounding communities have seen little in terms of economic development or social support,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga has told reporters that local firms shouldn’t settle for anything less than equality, dignity, and justice at Mopani.
“We Demand: Equal Supply and Contracting Opportunities: Qualified local Suppliers and marginalized groups should have equal access to all supply and contracting opportunities at the mine Investment in Local Communities: A percentage of the mine’s profits should be reinvested into the local communities, improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Environmental Responsibility: Mopani Mine must take responsibility for its environmental impact and invest in measures to mitigate pollution and environmental damage in local communities. Transparency & Accountability: We demand transparency in how the mine is operating, with clear, public accountability for how workers are treated and how resources are allocated,” he said.
Mr. Mulenga noted that the resources that Mopani Mine extracts from Zambia belong to the local people.
“Why now? The time for change is long overdue. For too long, local suppliers have sacrificed their time, safety, and well-being, while seeing little improvement in their lives or the surrounding communities. The resources that Mopani Mine extracts from the land belong to the people—our people—and we will no longer stand by as those benefits are hoarded by foreign companies. Let’s Stand Together: For fair treatment. For equal opportunities. For sustainable development. For justice. Together, we will make our voices heard, and demand that Mopani Mine fulfill its responsibility to Local Suppliers and the people of Zambia. We will not settle for anything less than equality, dignity, and justice,” he concluded.
This complaint will remain as long as mines are run by foreigners. It will always be capital flight. We should not be surprised.
I hope the minister’s investigation will include sitting down with Mopani to review their Approved Supplier List. Often times, local suppliers score low on the List due to their lack of seriousness and time management. Mopani is in business to make profits and will not hesitate to push aside unreliable suppliers, which most of the local suppliers are.
It’s not really lack of seriousness but mostly lack of capital.
The main reason is that the owners of the company want to create jobs in their countries by giving supply orders to their people. They are here to make money. The old miners did many things because they came to stay. But after getting the mines from them they learned a lesson hence the way they are acting.
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This is a very serious issue that should be addressed by authorities. What is the point of having mines operating in the country that are owned by foreigners. They pollute the environment, do not pay taxes, take a big share of local electricity power supplies and yet he externalize all the profits. The mineral resources are not renewable and they will soon be exhausted and these companies will walk away leaving damaged aquifers and big holes in the ground as an inheritance for our children. The mines need to pay the necessary taxes and local suppliers need to be prioritized so that the wealth remains in the country. Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR, ISO 26000) is a requirement internationally and govt must ensure these companies comply to the above standard.
That’s why I love Trump. He is a model president. America for Americans Zambia fir Zambians including its assets.
We have foreigners in this blog against whatever is progressive for Zambians
Zambian companies are known for quotations, presentations and works that are of poor quality.
I am sure if they meet the required standards they will be awarded contracts.
Mopani Copper Mines is an international business and not a Zambian local authority, in other words Mopani Copper Mines standards are high.
Many Zambian companies do not work to the highest standards.
Also, for those of you who say Zambian companies should run Zambian mines, where are Zambians going to get the capital to invest in such activities?
Just remember the mines were privatised because of the abominable way it was run by Zambians previously.
Unreliable
What is mulenga’s interest in all this?
He’s obviously a briefcase supplier.
Mulenga sounds like he wants to form and function as a parallel GRZ……..????