adminHe said at present, 57 percent of supplies to mining houses were done by locals.
Mr Machana said they were going to help with capacity building to increase the percentage of goods and services provided by locals.
He said it was their wish to see the mining sector getting all they wanted from local suppliers, as that creates employment opportunities. “Local suppliers should be in a position to supply the mining sector with all their needs and wants as that could alleviate poverty, create employment and be sustainable for both industries,” he said.
He urged local suppliers to reclaim their traditional markets while opening new ones.
Mr Machana said suppliers to the mining sector had to recapitalise to meet technological advancements and thereby increase their capacity utilisation.
“The mining sector has opportunities galore especially for the future so we urge suppliers to invest and reclaim their traditional markets and look for new ones. They should also recapitalise so as to catch up with technological advancements and increase capacity utilisation,” said Mr Machana.
He said they intend to emulate countries such as South Africa, which has a law stipulating that 75percent of supplies should be local.
Online Reporter