KALIMBWE PROPOSES $5,000 COPPER EXPORT LEVY TO BOOST ZAMBIA’S DEVELOPMENT

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Posted by admin on January 2, 2026 at 3:05 AM

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A Zambian politician Joseph Kalimbwe has defended his proposal for mining companies to pay $5,000 per truckload of copper exported, arguing that the measure would generate millions of dollars monthly for national development projects.

The proposal comes after Buks van Rensburg, owner of BHL trucking company, which transports copper from Kansanshi and Kalumbila mines issued a statement inviting the politician to visit BHL operations. Rensburg accused him of speaking “unkindly” about mining operations, particularly Canadian companies, and of misleading Zambians on industry issues.

In response, the politician welcomed Rensburg’s invitation, describing it as a “mature and positive engagement.” He said he was open to dialogue and learning from industry stakeholders, but insisted his views had been misunderstood as political attacks.

“I was raised on the Copperbelt. My parents worked their entire lives in the mining industry. My argument has always been that if Zambians are less involved in the copper value chain, then mining companies must contribute more directly to rebuilding our country,” he said.

He explained that each truck carries copper worth about $400,000, and a $5,000 levy would represent just 1.2% of the cargo value.

With 20 trucks exiting daily at Katima Mulilo, the Zambia Revenue Authority could collect $100,000 per day.

In one month, this would amount to $3 million, which he said could fund hospitals, medicines, and infrastructure.

Currently, copper trucks pay only K1,000 in tolls (about $43) per load.

He stressed that the proposed levy would be paid by mining companies, not transporters like BHL. “It is not an attack on Canadian mining companies or BHL. These are issues our country has faced since the 1997–2003 Hagura Agreement, when mineral land was sold to foreign investors,” he said.

“A nation with billions of dollars’ worth of minerals beneath its soil must never have to borrow loans to build roads and highways. If we cannot own the mines ourselves, then at least they must pay a fair share,” he declared.