[Zambia] Investors should employ local experts

In Zambia, the Government has been working hard to attract investment in different sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing. Mining is Zambia’s economic mainstay so a significant effort has been made by the Government to entice as many investors as possible in this sector, the second largest employer after the civil service, Zambia Daily Mail reports.

Zambia is the world’s fourth largest producer of copper and holds six per cent of the globe’s known reserves. Copper and cobalt - the country’s traditional exports - account for more than 70 per cent of export earnings. To continue advancing the mining sector, the Government is offering a number of incentives to investors in this industry on the basis that investors create jobs for Zambians. 

Unfortunately, there is reportedly a tendency by some foreign investors to employ numerous people from their countries of origin, even for roles that can easily be carried out by Zambians. Critics of this practice say Zambia has many well-trained professionals who should occupy most of the positions that some investors are giving to expatriates. Now the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe has offered some timely advice to investors with an interest in establishing operations in Zambia. 

Mr Kabuswe told First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to look within Zambia’s borders for engineers and employ them at its Enterprise Nickel Mine project in Kalumbila district instead of engaging expatriates. The US$250 million Enterprise Nickel Mine will be the largest nickel producer in Africa. It was commissioned last week by President Hakainde Hichilema. 

This mine is projected to process four million tonnes of ore, produce about 28,000 tonnes of nickel per year and is expected to create around 700 permanent jobs. Alongside this gigantic investment in Kalumbila, Mr Kabuswe wants to unlock Zambia’s mining industry to result in skills transfer among local engineers. The minister encouraged investors in these mines to employ local engineers; a wish he has often repeated.

“Come through and employ our local engineers because we have a very professional Engineering Institution of Zambia with very good professionals,” the minister said. 

“I think they are ready to work because the capacity to run a mine is there with our local engineers.” 

Zambia’s government offers numerous incentives to investors in various sectors of the economy in an effort to attract investment because of the jobs investors provide to the local people. Therefore, Mr Kabuswe’s guidance pertains not only to FQM but to all foreign investors who come to establish a base in Zambia.

Source: Zambia Daily Mail

(Quote via original reporting)

In Zambia, the Government has been working hard to attract investment in different sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing. Mining is Zambia’s economic mainstay so a significant effort has been made by the Government to entice as many investors as possible in this sector, the second largest employer after the civil service, Zambia Daily Mail reports.

Zambia is the world’s fourth largest producer of copper and holds six per cent of the globe’s known reserves. Copper and cobalt - the country’s traditional exports - account for more than 70 per cent of export earnings. To continue advancing the mining sector, the Government is offering a number of incentives to investors in this industry on the basis that investors create jobs for Zambians. 

Unfortunately, there is reportedly a tendency by some foreign investors to employ numerous people from their countries of origin, even for roles that can easily be carried out by Zambians. Critics of this practice say Zambia has many well-trained professionals who should occupy most of the positions that some investors are giving to expatriates. Now the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe has offered some timely advice to investors with an interest in establishing operations in Zambia. 

Mr Kabuswe told First Quantum Minerals (FQM) to look within Zambia’s borders for engineers and employ them at its Enterprise Nickel Mine project in Kalumbila district instead of engaging expatriates. The US$250 million Enterprise Nickel Mine will be the largest nickel producer in Africa. It was commissioned last week by President Hakainde Hichilema. 

This mine is projected to process four million tonnes of ore, produce about 28,000 tonnes of nickel per year and is expected to create around 700 permanent jobs. Alongside this gigantic investment in Kalumbila, Mr Kabuswe wants to unlock Zambia’s mining industry to result in skills transfer among local engineers. The minister encouraged investors in these mines to employ local engineers; a wish he has often repeated.

“Come through and employ our local engineers because we have a very professional Engineering Institution of Zambia with very good professionals,” the minister said. 

“I think they are ready to work because the capacity to run a mine is there with our local engineers.” 

Zambia’s government offers numerous incentives to investors in various sectors of the economy in an effort to attract investment because of the jobs investors provide to the local people. Therefore, Mr Kabuswe’s guidance pertains not only to FQM but to all foreign investors who come to establish a base in Zambia.

Source: Zambia Daily Mail

(Quote via original reporting)