FQM Reinforces Commitment to Boost Zambia’s Local Manufacturing Capacity
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Zambia’s manufacturing sector during the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) Mining Local Content Conference, part of the Manufacturing Month deliberations.
Her Honour the Vice President, Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, lauded FQM for advancing local economic and social development through industry partnerships.
FQM’s 2023 local procurement spend exceeded US$1.6 billion, with 88% directed towards Zambian suppliers. The mining giant also announced key initiatives to align local manufacturing standards with global mining requirements, including secondments and partnerships with ZAM and the Zambia Bureau of Standards.
FQM Zambia Country Manager, Dr. Godwin Beene, emphasized the importance of fostering genuine value creation to stimulate job creation and reduce reliance on imports, aligning closely with the government’s Industrialisation and Job Creation Strategy.
The conference theme, *”Catalysing Progress: Local Solutions for Sustainable Mining Development in Zambia 60 Years Post Independence,”* brought together key stakeholders to discuss maximizing local content in Zambia’s mining value chain.
Initiatives like the Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ) highlight FQM’s efforts to create a conducive environment for local manufacturers to thrive. Despite challenges such as limited partnerships with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and logistics, FQM’s initiatives aim to unlock opportunities for local suppliers.
FQM Infrastructure Lead Jed Goldstein reiterated the company’s efforts in building Zambia’s local manufacturing capacity to meet both domestic and international demands, contributing to Zambia’s long-term socio-economic development.
