An Analysis of the Post Privatization Mining in Solwezi, Zambia

Abstract

A descriptive survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of privatization of Kasanshi, Kalumbila and Lumwanamines on Solwezi, Zambia. 58 respondents wereselected as sample in Solwezi through Convenient and Purposive sampling for local people and local leadership and company representatives respectively. After a Pilot study in Kabwe, questionnaires and interview guides were fine-tuned by the supervisor at Africa University. Forty-seven questionnaires that were returned which revealedgenderbalance. The interviewees applauded privatization of the mines under study; they blamed Global market forced for the challenges that hindered them from performing infrastructural development and executing their corporate social responsibility in Solwezi but local people expressed deep concern over high levels of unemployment, high costs of living, high crime-rates, prostitution, pollution, environmental degradation and externalization of profits, as chief amongst the negatives of the privatization of mines initiative by the government. Even the Zambian government was reportedly not benefitting much from privatization.Therefore it risked treading towards a serious conflict over the control of mines and mineral resources between the local people and the private companies.Benefits from privatization were perceived as far less than the profits realized by the private mining companies. Employment, infrastructural development, in schools, clinics, roads, recreation facilities, shops and business opportunities for the local people were highlighted as some few benefits of privatization of mines to the people of Solwezi. Some respondents indicated that families got their incomes from working in the mines. Suggestions were given for the private mines to prioritize the employment of local people and not expatriates. The government was also advised to embark on the indigenization process andto make laws that prioritize provision of contracts for local people only as well as creating economic zones in mine towns such as Solwezi. Persuasion, voluntarism, use of force and relocation of the affected people were identified as possible alternatives towards environmental conservation.