KCM ACCUSED OF SIDELINING LOCAL SUPPLIERS

ZCLU Executive Director Isaac Mwanza said the organisation has received worrying reports suggesting that KCM is not living up to the commitments it made regarding inclusive procurement and job creation. He noted that these failures contradict the expectations set for the company when operations were handed back to Vedanta.

Mwanza called on the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to fully enforce Statutory Instrument No. 68 of 2025, a regulation designed to increase local participation in the mining supply chain. He argued that pushing Zambian businesses aside weakens homegrown enterprises, slows economic growth, and undermines long-term national development goals.

He also raised concerns over the slow pace of job creation at the mine, saying it is preventing local people from benefiting from employment opportunities. Mwanza urged KCM to prioritise qualified Zambians for senior positions instead of relying heavily on expatriate staff.

Further, he reminded the Ministry of Labour to conduct regular assessments of the mine’s employment and labour practices to ensure full compliance with Zambia’s laws and standards. Mwanza emphasised that ZCLU remains committed to advocating for fair labour conditions, economic justice, and the full involvement of citizens in key national industries.

Just to Unlock Your Mind

KCM’s return to Vedanta Resources was sold as a turning point promising jobs, local procurement, and a revived Copperbelt. But concerns like these reveal a deeper question: Are major mines truly supporting Zambians, or are locals still watching from the sidelines?

Mining remains the backbone of Zambia’s economy, yet local participation has historically lagged behind. If SI No. 68 of 2025 is not enforced tightly, Zambia risks repeating the old cycle where foreign firms thrive while local businesses struggle for space in their own country.

[Brave Heart News  | UnlockingMinds]