Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Business Consultant and former Chamber of Mines of Zambia Assistant General Manager Lawrence Chileshe has encouraged the PF Government not to back down on the mining tax adjustment announced in the 2015 national budget.
Mr Chileshe has told QFM News that government should not succumb to threats by some mining investors.
He says Government made the decision to increase taxes, after consultations with experts.
Mr Chileshe says it will be disappointing if the government back-peddles based on threats mining investors.
Mr Chileshe says he is surprised that an international investor like Barrick Gold could take advantage of the election period and also the media to threaten the government to reverse their decision to increase the Mineral Royalty Tax.
He states that mining investors are “minting” a lot of money in Zambia, the reason why they are still in Zambia.
He adds that no investor would be in a country where they are not making money.
Mr Chileshe says having worked in the mining industry for years he knows what he is talking about.
Mr Chileshe says Zambians therefore; need to support the PF government so that they collect the deserving taxes, needed for development.
The people must be assured that it cannot be difficult to get a copper mining investor, especially where there is also Uranium.
He states that Lumwana is one of the most attractive mining assets in Africa and therefore can easily be sold to another investor.
Mr Chileshe further states that Barrick Gold are being misled by their advisors on how best to engage the Zambian Government.