Miners movement rejects Mundubile’s local content pledge

The All Miners for President HH Movement has dismissed campaign pledges made by National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidentBrian Mundubile, insisting that the reforms he has promised to deliver for miners and former miners are already being implemented under the leadership of PresidentHakainde Hichilema. Speaking at a rally in Kitwe’s Chamboli Township, MrMundubilehad pledged to raise the local content requirement for mining suppliers to 50 percent if elected in the 13 August general election, positioning the commitment as a signature policy that would benefit Zambian-owned businesses operating within the mining supply chain. “We have taken note of the promises made by Mr Mundubile at his rally yesterday.

As miners and ex miners, we wish to remind him that the door he is promising to open is already wide open under the able leadership of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema,” MrMwewasaid. He explained that the Local Content Law had already been actualised under the current government, creating opportunities for Zambian suppliers and contractors within the mining sector, while work on introducing a sector minimum wage was already underway. “Unlike under the PF era, when miners were subjected to unstable one or two month piece work contracts, miners today are enjoying long term contracts of three years and beyond, as well as permanent employment opportunities,” he said.

“Despite difficult times, President HH has sustained jobs, with miners going for more than four years without job losses in the sector.” The movement’s coordinator went further, suggesting that miners across Zambia had already made up their minds ahead of the general election, framing the choice facing the sector’s workforce as one already settled in the governing party’s favour. “Therefore, we advise Mr Mundubile to try again next time. Miners across Zambia have already made their decision: we will vote for a President who cares, delivers on his promises, protects jobs and opens opportunities for the mining sector,” MrMwewasaid.

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The exchange forms part of a broader contest for the political loyalty of Zambia’s mining workforce, a constituency that carries significant weight in Copperbelt politics given the sector’s outsized role in the regional economy. Mining communities have historically been highly sensitive to changes in employment conditions, contract security and local procurement policy, making the sector a frequent battleground during general election campaigns. MrMundubile’sproposal to raise local content requirements for mining suppliers to 50 percent would represent a significant policy shift if implemented, aimed at ensuring a greater share of procurement spending within the sector flows to Zambian-owned businesses rather than foreign suppliers.

The NRPUP presidential candidate has used the pledge as part of a wider platform seeking to position his party as the stronger advocate for local economic participation within the mining industry. The All Miners for President HH Movement’s rebuttal reflects the governing party’s broader strategy of countering opposition promises by pointing to policies it says are already in motion, rather than allowing rival pledges to stand unchallenged. Government officials have repeatedly highlighted the Local Content Law and related reforms as evidence of a functioning framework already benefiting Zambian suppliers, contractors and workers within the sector.

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