LAST year in August, protesters held a loud and colourful demonstration against mining company Vedanta at the Lincoln Centre, Lincoln Inn Fields, London.
They accused Vedanta of tax evasion and mismanagement at the Konkola Copper Mines subsidiary in Zambia after investigations revealed the company was externalising up to US$500 million per year in profits.
Some 60 people rallied against Vedanta’s London AGM, representing a variety of organisations including diaspora from Zambia, Goa, Tamil Eelam and Odisha where Vedanta was embroiled in scandals and accused of major illegalities.
Last week stake holders in the mining industry staged a demonstration at Government Complex in Lusaka during the the 5th Zambia Alternative Mining Indaba against being left out when making serious decisions mainly affecting them.
They have since called on Government to include them starting from the consultation process until implementation level in a quest to improve the legislative framework in the mining sector.
We agree with stakeholders’ representative Aaron Ngonzo who said it was disheartening that despite mining being the main mineral sector in Zambia, communities did not benefit from it.
Previously dissenting voices have noted that continued tax avoidance and evasion by mining companies robbed the country of billions of Kwacha that could be used to uplift the living standards of locals.
We concur with protesters’ call for the need to address revision of the tax regime and removal of mineral royalty sharing mechanism which only favours  the mining companies and not the communities.
We further agree with Mr Ngonza who has rightly observed that mining companies should not be given autonomy to divide the country by compromising the developmental agenda.
Even the nettlesome of Zambia not having a specific mineral resource account where the proceeds from natural resources could be deposited for developmental uses needs speedy response.
We would also love organisations like Caritas Zambia to ensure Government demonstrates its accountability in the utilisation of mineral revenues through public reporting systems.
Last month several stakeholders on the Copperbelt commended President Edgar Lungu and the Patriotic Front Government for raising Zambia’s investor confidence in the mining sector.
Mining expert Sixtus Mulenga was quoted as saying Zambia’s mining sector has a bright future due to a good foundation laid by President Lungu in attracting more investments at a time when the commodity prices have hit their lowest.
Dr Mulenga who is also Mopani Copper mines board member said the mining sector on the Copperbelt is showing its robustness due to fruits from long term investments to the tune of 1.2 billion US dollars.
Dr Mulenga who was speaking in an interview with ZNBC news in Kitwe said it was commendable that Government was able to raise the economic profile of the country especially in the mining sector.
Mine Suppliers and Contractors Association President Augustine Mubanga also said latest developments in the mining sector were a clear manifestation that investors have confidence in the leadership of President Lungu and the PF government.
We are just praying that investors do not abuse President Lungu’s goodwill by flouting certain regulations that would benefit both parties. Comment