LUSAKA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese enterprises operating in Zambia's mining industry on Tuesday officially launched an association aimed at enhancing the enterprises' contribution to the mining sector in the southern African nation.
The Chinese Mining Enterprises Association in Zambia (CMEAZ) was officially launched during a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Han Jing, senior Zambian government officials as well as representatives from Chinese mining companies.
In his remarks, the Chinese ambassador commended the companies for forming the association and their contribution to the Sino-Zambia relations, saying the establishment of the association was a milestone in the relations between the two countries in the mining industry which started in 1998 when Chinese enterprises invested in the Chambishi copper mine.
"After more than 20 years of development, China-Zambia mining cooperation has seen a gradual increase in the number of participating enterprises, an expanding scale, and an ever-increasing level," he said.
According to him, there are now more than 20 Chinese-funded mining enterprises in Zambia with a total investment of more than 3.5 billion U.S. dollars.
The establishment of CMEAZ is a vivid manifestation of win-win cooperation between China and Zambia, he said, adding that the cooperation in the mining sector is mutually beneficial.
The Chinese ambassador noted that the participation of Chinese enterprises in Zambia's mining development has not only realized their own development but also fully benefited the local society.
According to figures from the association, member enterprises paid more than 260 million dollars in taxes in 2023 and currently employ more than 15,000 local people.
Han said about 1,000 local workers received skills training every year at the CMEAZ's employee skills training center.
CMEAZ Chairperson Li Zhanyan said the establishment of the association also reflects the enterprises' commitment to contributing toward Zambia's goal of achieving three million tons in copper production.
He said the enterprises plan to invest five billion dollars in the next five years and will maximize Zambia's mining development, create a high-level platform for business cooperation, and deepen multi-level exchanges among government departments.
Zambian Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe said the launch of the association marks another milestone in fostering cooperation with the mining in advancing mineral exploration and mining rights acquisition.
In a statement read for him by Tobias Musonda, director of planning and information in the ministry, the Zambian minister said this will contribute to Zambia's target of three million tons of copper production by 2031.
"The formation of this association in the mining sector also reinforces the longstanding bilateral relations between the Republic of Zambia and the People's Republic of China," he said, adding that it signals the desire to enhance and deepen the relationship for the mutual benefit of the two countries regarding the mining sector.
The formation of the association is a perfect example of China's efforts to catalyze value addition in the mining sector, Kabuswe said. ■
