BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
GOVERNMENT has called for transparency in the emerald industry while producing high quality products.
Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa said Government was committed to ensuring a stable, reliable, simple and predictable fiscal regime to support the mining industry which included emerald.
The minister was speaking in Lusaka when he officially opened the 31st Gemfields auction of emeralds from the Kagem Mine in Lufwanyama, which attracted more than 30 buyers from across the world.
“Our Government remains committed to ensure we run and operate the mining sector with a stable, reliable, simple and predictable fiscal regime to support the industry.
“Government remains committed to engage the industry and hold discussions, and see the peculiarities that arose so that we can always meet and resolve,
“The Zambian government, together with Kagem, which is our flagship in terms of the emerald industry in Zambia remains committed to giving you high quality products, ad in so doing we would like to ensure there is transparency in the industry,” said Mr Musukwa
Mr Musukwa toured the auction floor and thanked the buyers who had travelled to be part of the auction and assured them of the Zambian government’s continued support for the mining sector.
Gemfields is celebrating ten years of holding auctions of Zambian emeralds. At the current auction 23 lots of over 800 kg of commercial quality emeralds are on offer.
Results from the auction will be announced on February 20.
