Professional Documents
Culture Documents
24 September, 2014
History
The Zambian mining Industry was in private hands for just over 40 years from the late 1920s.
During this period consistent investment in Exploration, Mine development, Mining and processing
facilities construction resulted in copper production going from almost zero to over 750,000 tonnes
with 64,000 direct jobs being created. The Mining industry was nationalised in 1972/73 and
remained in State hands for 24 years. At the end of this period annual copper production levels
came down to around 250,000 tonnes and employment levels had reduced to 22,000 jobs.
The mining industry was privatised. The process spanned a period of three years from 1997 to 2000.
Between 2000 and 2014, the new investors had invested over 10 billion US Dollars in the Mining
Industry for Exploration, Mine and processing facilities development, refurbishment of dilapidated
mining and processing facilities. This resulted in deepening of mine shafts, extension of open pits,
sinking of new mine shafts, starting new green field integrated mining projects, construction of
modern environmentally friendly processing facilities and opening up of new mining frontiers away
from the traditional Copperbelt of Zambia into the North Western province. This has resulted in
copper production levels reaching over 760 000 tonnes in 2013 and the projection for 2014 is
800,000 tonnes with over 90,000 direct jobs being secured/created.
tax make up the bulky of the mineral taxes. Table below shows the detailed data from the ICMM
report.
The latest EITI report shows that mining revenue in 2011 nearly doubled to Kw7.7 bn compared to
Kw3.7bn revenue collected in 2012. This represented over 30% contribution to Government revenue
in the year under consideration. In addition to the increase in revenue, the EITI report has shown a
decrease in the discrepancy between mining company payments and Government receipts. The net
discrepancies were ZMW 12 billion in 2008; ZMW 31.4 million in 2009 and 8.8 million in 2010.
consultancy group that supplies comprehensive data, written analysis and consultancy
advice) Zambias overall effective tax rate on Mining companies is about 45% as shown in the graph
below. This is one of the highest tax rates in the world. Even our neighbours DRC have a much
lower rate at 25%. This is a major deciding factor for Foreign Direct Investment decisions.
Production
1
Mine Exploration -
7-10 years
Mine Operation
2-20 years
Mine Closure
2-10 years
Time
7-10yrs
5yrs -10yrs
2yrs -20yrs
2yrs -10yrs
VAT rule 18
This Rule was introduced in 1997 and was meant to encourage exporters. By allowing an
exporter to reclaim input from value-addition, the Rule would reduce the exporters costs
and in turn make the product more competitive on international markets. Mining
companies that export their products to the international metal markets must meet the
following requirements before a claim of the VAT is refunded by ZRA.
a) Copies of export documents for the goods, bearing a certificate of shipment
provided by the Authority;
b) Copies of import documents for the goods, bearing a certificate of
importation into the country of destination provided by the customs authority
for the country;
c) Tax invoices for the goods exported;
d) Proof of payment by the Customer for the goods;
e) Documentary evidence proving that payment for the goods has been made
by the customer into the exporters bank account in Zambia; and
4
The effects of these actions are already being felt and in the medium to long term, there will be a
negative impact on:
Mine production,
Production costs,
Jobs (Direct, indirect and induced)
Suppliers of goods and services to the mining industry will have no business,
Overall reduced revenue collection by ZRA