By CLOZZEN BIKALA
The North-Western Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NWPCCI) has applauded First Quantum Minerals’ US$1.35 billion investment package saying its members are ready to capitalise on the opportunities.
The mining firm recently approved plans to invest US$1.25 billion in its expansion of Kansanshi’s operations in Solwezi known as the ‘S3’ project and a final US$100 million to start its $250 million Enterprise nickel project in Kalumbila.
NWPCCI president Mukumbi Kafuta said the chamber is expectant that the investment would lead to social and economic development, not only in North-Western Province, the whole country.
Mr Kafuta has called on the mining firm to give first priority to North-Western Chamber-affiliated companies when awarding tenders during the developmental phase of the S3 and Enterprise nickel projects.
He said that the chamber expect a significant proportion of business to be preserved for chamber membership to benefit, to enhance members’ experience and wealth creation in this region.
“We have a huge membership of about 300-plus paid-up members for the year 2022, and among those we have 75% of the members in the mine supply chain. And these are not only indigenous companies, but companies coming from all over Zambia. We expect that Kansanshi Mining, even as we engage them in the next few weeks, would be able to take advantage of our database,” he said.
Mr Kafuta said the Chamber expect to see the fundamentals of development taking place in North-Western Province and Zambia as a whole.
He said the coming of banks; chain stores and other developments to Solwezi have come largely because First Quantum Minerals has made a very significant investment in the region.
