Canada's First Quantum Minerals (FQM) reported today that copper production at Kansanshi rose to 182,500 tonnes in the first nine months to September 2009 compared with output of 153,300 tonnes in the same period last year. FQM attributes this to a "28% reduction in production costs" between January 2009 and... [view entry]

Reports mid week that Lumwana plans to raise copper output through greater efficiency and also plans to build a uranium plant. According to its new MD, Adam Wright, the company would in 2010 ramp up production to 170,000 tonnes from a projected 110,000 this year. The company is continues with... [view entry]

We have previously touched on the increase of local radio stations. Mpika is fighting for its own even as Mwinilunga comes under government's radar of bureacrats. Both stories illustrate the value of local radio and its increasing row in shaping political dialogue. But a more important point is that local... [view entry]

The annual rate of inflation, as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI), declined by 0.8 of a percentage point from 12.3 percent in October, 2009 to 11.5 percent in November, 2009. The decline of 0.8 of a percentage point in the annual inflation rate in November 2009... [view entry]

An important announcement from the Central Statistics Office :CSO embarks on the new method of data dissemination!The Central Statistical Office (CSO) has embarked on a new method of disseminating micro-data and related meta-data. Other than disseminating information through various channels such as the CSO website, hard copies and soft copies,... [view entry]

Proposition 2: The local mining communities are not benefiting from the nation’s mineral wealthThe stronger version of the above statement would be expressed as: the people are not just neutral to the existence of the mines in their areas, the communities are currently suffering because of the mines. Or to... [view entry]

Another update on the alleged quiet ZRA corruption scandal (previously discussed here) :Government is investigating allegations of misappropriation of funds at the Zambia Revenue Authority(ZRA) Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane has since described the abuse of resources at the authority as a crime.He says government's silence over... [view entry]

Press Release by Konkola Copper Mining Plc :Press Statement KCM wishes to reiterate its commitment to improving the conditions of service for its union-represented employees by working hand-in-hand with their respective unions.The recent unfortunate disturbances that occurred at the Nchanga Integrated Unit where, in effect an illegal strike that resulted... [view entry]

Proposition 1: Zambia earns very little revenue from its vast wealth of mineral resourcesAt first this appears to be an obvious statement to most regular readers of the Zambian Economist. However, it is worth stating this upfront because the current Rupiah Bwezani Banda (RBB) led government continues to dispute this... [view entry]

Another interesting comment that challenges government approach to tourism. Rt Hon Gary Nkombo(MP) reckons government is losing a lot of revenue in uncollected tour operators' operation fees and licenses fees in the hospitality industry. According to Hon Nkombo, "for over a year government has not been collecting revenue in the... [view entry]