New Royalty Tax Rate "Sends Out Good Signal" - Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo

Kitwe, Zambia, April 23, 2015 --(PR.com)-- “We remain convinced that Zambia is an attractive mining destination due to a healthy spirit of engagement between government and the operators,” says Nicole Smith, event director of the upcoming Copperbelt Mining Trade Expo & Conference (CBM-TEC) in Kitwe from 5-6 May. She was responding to the Zambian government’s setting the royalty tax rate for open cast and underground mining at 9%, reversing earlier plans to charge as much as 20%. Nicole Smith adds: “We see that with the good support and participation from government, there is a spirit of willingness to understand the needs of investors and operators and to listen. This sends out a good signal.”

The Zambian minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, the Hon. Christopher Yaluma, and the country’s minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe, will head up a high-level government delegation at this year’s CBM-TEC.

More than 1500 visitors, 100 exhibitors and 200 conference delegates are expected to gather for the event in the heart of Zambia’s Copperbelt this year at what is the largest industry gathering of its kind in the region. The expo also features free, practical workshops.

Says Nicole Smith: “At our launch event last year, the minister of Mines Hon. Christopher Yaluma also attended, accompanied by ten of his ministry’s directors and made a concerted effort to engage with the industry leaders who were present. The minister listened and responded seriously to questions. We look forward to welcoming him back.”

CBM-TEC’s conference opening session highlights:
• Session theme: Taking the Zambian mining industry to the next level – developing a local minerals value-chain for a global industry
- Chairman: Jackson Sikamo, President, Chamber of Mines, Zambia

• Keynote address: Strategies to create an enabling environment for mining investment in Zambia
- Hon. Christopher Yaluma, Minister Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Zambia

• Special address: Synergies between mining and industry – integrating policy for win-win between all stakeholders
- Hon. Margaret Mwanakatwe, Minister Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Zambia

• Mining operator’s address: Quest to promote local industrialisation – the Mopani and Zamefa partnership success
- Johan Jansen, Chief Executive Officer, Mopani Copper Mines, Zambia

Strong industry support
Once again the event enjoys strong industry support and is endorsed by the Zambia Chamber of Mines and the Zambian Association of Manufacturers. The Association of Zambian Mineral Exploration Companies (AZMEC) and the Lusaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry are also supporters. Sandvik Mining is returning as platinum sponsor for the event, Barloworld Equipment and ZCCM-IH have confirmed as gold sponsors with Schlumberger Airlift signing up as a silver sponsor. Other big names on the expo floor include: Murray & Roberts, Manitou Group, Atlas Copco and Tri- Pump Engineering Ltd.

In association with the Electra Mining Africa exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa, CBM-TEC is organised jointly by Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery and Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

CBM-TEC dates and location:
5-6 May: Conference and exhibition
Location: Mist Gardens, Kitwe, Zambia