The Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) last month launched an industry website, which primarily explains Zambia’s mining to “ordinary people”.

The ZCM says that the MiningforZambia.com website is educational and extensive in scope and content, and complements the ZCM’s existing website.

The new website features the latest industry news from Zambia and the rest of the world, a live updated copper price, tracking of the price of other mineral resources and the Kwacha-US dollar exchange rate, and also offers readers a “deeper look” into mining in the country.

“[The website] is a world first in terms of the topics covered, the ease of reading and its daily round-up of news and financial information,” ZCM president Nathan Chishimba states.

He asserts that the website is a “must read” for anyone wanting to understand the role of mining in the Zambian economy and society.

“We expect readers to return to the site daily, or at least weekly, to keep themselves updated, particularly as we continue to add new content. It will appeal to all who follow the mining industry, be they experts or ordinary Zambians,” remarks Chishimba.

He says that MiningforZambia.com is part of an ongoing programme of strategic public engagement by the mining industry to promote a better understanding of the industry.

The site covers core topics focused on Zambia’s mines, their economic and social contribution and interesting facts about the industry, among other issues.

It follows the launch of the booklet Understanding Mineral Royalty Tax by the chamber earlier this year.
“Mining in Zambia is relatively underreported, and there are deep and abiding misconceptions about what it actually does and its impact on society and the economy. The website aims to help correct this,” Chishimba comments.

He notes that the website’s primary content is free for use by the media, or anyone else who wishes to access it.

The website comprises five key sections. The first is entitled ‘Understanding Mining’, which covers topics such as starting a new mine, the capital-intensive nature of mining, and why the copper price fluctuates on world markets.

The second is entitled ‘Zambia’s Mines’, which gives an overview of the Zambian mining sector, the key role played by the country’s so called Big Four mines, and their challenges and opportunities.

The third is entitled ‘Social Contribution’, which explains, by means of case studies, how mines contribute to the development of communities in Zambia.

Section 4 is titled ‘Economic Contribution’ and explains how the mining industry contributes to fiscal and macroeconomic development, and how it can stimulate local economic development in Zambia.

The final section is labelled ‘Did you know’ and contains a range of “fun facts” and “mind-boggling” statistics about the copper industry in general and about certain aspects of its contribution towards the economy of Zambia in particular.

The website also has a library and download section, where open-source, free-to-use information is available for reuse by users.

“We invite all Zambians to visit the website to learn more about an exciting and challenging industry which plays a critical role in the economy and society,” Chishimba concludes.