Local Economist Lubinda Habazoka has questioned the mining sector if the $396 in mineral royalty tax per tonne of copper for a price of $6600 per tonne is too much.

This is as proposed by Government in the 2019 National Budget.

Mr. Habazoka explains that if the price falls to $6000 per tonne government will collect only $360.

He has advised Mining Sector Players to understand that minerals belong to the citizens and hence they need to benefit from them.

The minister of Finance proposed an increase in mineral royalty rates by 1.5 percent points at all levels of the sliding scale, a move that has been received with mixed feelings by stakeholders.