BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has so far spent US$1 billion to pay local contractors and suppliers.
FQM Country Manager, Kingsley Chinkuli, said the mine adhered to the procurement procedures and laws of Zambia.
General Chinkuli said in a statement that FQM strives to procurement its material from Zambian registered business.
“It is entirely right and proper that mines are open to scrutiny and held accountable for their actions, and indeed First Quantum goes to great lengths to ensure it is transparent in its corporate operations and sustainability programmes,” he said.
General Chinkuli said FQM has recognised the transport sector as an important component of the economy and a common tool used for development.
He explained that this was because of the company’s intensive use of infrastructure.
“The relationship between the quantity and quality of transport infrastructure and the level of economic development is apparent,” General Chinkuli said.
He said FQM’s Kansanshi Mining Plc subsidiary spent US$958,767,110 locally in 2019, while US$659,712 was spent by Kalumbila Minerals limited at Sentinel mine.
This, he said, equated to 88 percent and 80 percent of the mines’ total spend respectively.
The company’s Roads Division alone spent US$152,815,503 within Zambia – 72 percent of its total expenditure for the year.
