Media responses to the report launch

The day after the report was launched, the editorial of The Times of Zambia, the country’s main state-controlled newspaper was dedicated to the discussion of mining, and was very positive about the report.

The article, 'Zambia: Watch the Mining Sector', says, “We appeal to all stakeholders to take this magnificent piece of work seriously.”

Flattering as that may be, the editorial read as though Government and civil society were in agreement on the current situation and appropriate policy responses. “Mines Deputy Minister Maxwell Mwale outlined this in Lusaka yesterday when the Zambia Copper Mining Industry research report was made public at Pamodzi Hotel. The minister was categorical when he stated that no Zambian employee should be engaged on a casual contract since there were positive gains that the mining sector was currently enjoying. Indeed there is not reason why some Zambians should be engaged on a daily basis at a time when copper and other minerals are selling at record high prices on the world market.”

Well, we can agree about that. But the Deputy Minister announced no new policies and appeared broadly satisfied with progress in the sector. Clearly there are reasons why casualisation continues apace on the Copperbelt – not least the weakness of both current legislation and implementation - both responsibilities of his Department.

The Post newspaper also included a lengthy news review of the launch meeting. In an article titled, 'Zambia's mineral royalties' that appeared on February 6th, the Post quoted both authors and the report itself at length.