Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia says Government’s plan to hold a stakeholder meeting with Management in all Mines to discuss tax related issues is healthy for the mining sector.
Association President Kunda Chani told Money FM News in an interview that in the midst of challenges in the mining sector, it is important that government runs an engagement program with the mining players.
Mr. Chani said the association welcomes the move that has been taken, and that government should continue with such engagement programs because it is the responsibility of government to come in and ensure that the industry continues to thrive.
He commended that Ministries of Mines, Finance, Commerce, Trade and Industry and other related Ministries that will take participate in the planned stakeholders’ meeting.
“In the midst of Covid-19, the challenges that are being faced by the mining industry are immense. So I think it is the responsibility of government to come in and close the gap to make sure that the industry continues to thrive.”
“The Move that has been taken to call for a stakeholders’ meeting is a welcome move, I should commend the Minister of Mines, Minister of Finance, Minister of Commerce and other related Ministries that are going to participate in this particular stakeholders’ meeting,” Mr. Chani said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chani urged government to consider promoting such engagements in other sectors of the economy so as to appreciate the challenges different industries are facing.
“We encourage government to promote such engagements even in other sectors of the economy to make sure that they hear the challenges that are being faced by players in these particular sectors.”
“We want this process of engagement and stakeholders’ meeting to be accelerated and held in good time so that we can have a thriving mining industry in the midst of the distress that has been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he stated.
Government is in the process of holding a stakeholder meeting with Management in all Mining firms across the country to discuss tax issues.
Mines and Minerals Development Minister Richard Musukwa recently disclosed that this follows numerous complaints from the mines that the current tax regime is not favoring their operations.