By STEVEN ZANDE –
THE Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) has embarked on a diversification programme to widen its investment interests in agriculture and power generation.
ZCCM-IH chief executive officer Pius Kasolo said part of the diversification programme would see the company establish a cement manufacturing plant which would be producing 5, 000 tonnes of cement per day.
He was speaking at an event dubbed ‘Zambia Mining Investment Conference’ in London on Monday.
This is contained in a statement issued by first secretary for Press and public relations at the Zambian High Commission in the United Kingdom, Abigail Chaponda.
“Our diversification programme and the new cement plant which will be based at Ndola Lime will create hundreds of jobs countrywide,” Dr Kasolo said.
KPMG chief executive officer Jason Kazilimani, who was part of the conference, urged the Government to consider restructuring the current mining tax structure in order to attract more investment in the sector.
He said the country’s copper reserves were still viable and could be revamped by awarding more incentives to would-be mining investors.
Mr Kazilimani said Government should address the recurrent energy deficit, labour matters and other impeding factors to the growth of the mining sector.
He urged mining firms to foster partnerships with local entrepreneurs in order to empower them and also reduce the cost of doing business in the sector.