By JAMES KUNDA –

THE Zambia Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) has urged the Government to establish the necessary legal, institutional, financial and technical capacity to manage and monitor oil explorations.
ZAMI chairperson Samuel Mulafulafu said in Ndola that Government should also explore the immense but yet untapped potential for clean and renewable energy like solar. This is according to the Indaba’s final submission to Government at the close of the third ZAMI held under the theme “our Minerals, our future, putting local communities first” in Ndola.
Mr Mulafulafu said Government needed to address illicit financial flaws in the
extractive industries by strengthening the capacity of relevant agencies that monitor and develop relevant tax rules.
He said Government must also review tax treaties which should be done in a consultative and participatory way to identify loopholes in legislation and international treaties.
The third ZAMI that closed in Ndola at the weekend attracted participants from Angola, Malawi, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
During the official opening of the ZAMI, mines, energy and water development Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa said the revision of the Mines and Minerals Development Act was aimed at streamlining the monitoring and regulation of the mining sector, to ensure benefits from the industry for the country.
Mr Musukwa said the revision of the Act is also intended to bring the policy in line with international best practices so that Zambia can continue to be a preferred destination for investment.