Minutes of the 60th Council Meeting Held on 28th June, 2012, at Lex House, Lusaka
14.00 hours (Lusaka Time)
Present:
Name / Company / PositionCOUNCILLORS:
Gilbert Temba / BHP Billiton / President/Chairman
Willie Sweta / Zambezi Resources/Mwembeshi / PP, MoMEWD-GRZ Liaison Communication &
Cadastre Affairs Sub Committee Leader
Andrew Goode / Denison Mines / Secretary &Uranium Explorers & Producers
Sub Committee Leader
Geoffrey Mulenga / Blackthorn Resources / Treasurer – Administration, Finance & Membership
Sub Committee Leader
Wiscort Banda / African Energy Resources / Publicity & Public Relations Sub Committee Leader
Nic J Money / Individual / Oil, Gas & Coal sub Committee Leader
Roger Staley / Barrick/Lumwana / Member/Training, Career Development Sub Committee
Osbert Sikazwe / UNZA School of Mines / Dean/ Affiliate/Training Career Development Sub
Committee Leader
Hobson Bwalya / FSSMAZ / Affiliate
Edith Lukwesa / AZMEC / Office Manager
IN ATTENDANCE:
Anwar Ravat / World Bank
APOLOGIES:
Alex Matthews / MMG Zambia Ltd / MoMEWD-GRZ Liaison Communication & Cadastre
Affairs Sub Committee
Julian Green / GeoQuest Ltd / Website Development & Maintenance
Emmanuel Mobela / Caracle Creek / Member
Paul Hardy / Ausdrill Zambia / Member
Fred Bantubonse / Chamber of Mines / General Manager/Affiliate
1.
/Introduction
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and called the meeting to order at 14.20 hours, he went on to inform the council that a World Bank Representative, Mr Anwar Ravat, Operations Adviser, Mining Oil, Gas and Mining Unit, will briefly attend the meeting to share what they are doing with the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development.· Summary Noting and Adoption of Minutes of the 58th Council Meeting – Minutes of the last Council meeting were read, corrected and adopted.
· Confirmation of Appointment of Office Bearers for 2012/2013:
President – Gilbert Temba
Past President – Willie Sweta
Secretary/Uranium Explorers – Andrew Goode
Treasurer – Geoffrey Mulenga
Training & Career Development – Osbert Sikazwe & Roger Staley
Publicity & Public Relations – Wiscort Banda
Oil, Gas & Coal– Nic J Money
AZMEC Bulletin Production – Nic J Money/Roger Staley
Website Development & Maintenance – Julian Green
Member – Alex Matthews
Member – Emmanuel Mobela
Member – Paul Hardy
· World Bank Representative:
At this point the WB Representative joined the meeting. He started with a brief introduction of his functions at World Bank, as a mining sector focal point. He went on to inform the meeting the World Bank discussions with the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development, are that currently the Ministry’s top priorities are:-
i. Getting full value of the improved Cadastre system
ii. Production and value addition to copper, etc
The World Bank have also emphasized the importance of tax compliance, tailings plant at old ZCCM – IH and the Vice President’s initiative lead on improvement of local product content.
A brief outline on Uranium mining in Zambian legislation was also alluded to and that Denison Mines is pushing for Namibia Chamber of Mines who have volunteered to their support and the World Bank was requested to assist in this area.
The issue of geological mapping in the country and its importance to attract investment was also extensively discussed with comparisons made to other countries in the region, e.g. Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.
The Chairman also went on to say that one of the most important issues industry has been discussing with the Ministry is the revision and amendment of the 2008Act. He went on to give a brief outline that industry and the Ministry have held several consultative meetings/workshops to try and produce an Act that will be attractive to both government, industry and the investor and also stand the test of time. He also expressed fears that with the continued delays in the implementation, most of the proposed amendments may not be captured. It is felt that government should deal with the fundamentals e.g. Review of the 2008 Act; functions of the MCU; poor funding of the Ministry of Mines; inadequate personnel, etc, etc. Dr Oterga, World Bank consultant’s report and recommendations to government on the operations of the MCU was also referred to.
In summary it was recommended that government as priority should deal with the review of the 2008 Act and Mining Cadastre Unit. Engage politicians and inform them that industry is on the same side of the table as the World Bank. It was also proposed that industry should hold discussion on priority issues concerning industry with the World Bank Country Director, Mr Ravat to arrange this. The meeting was also informed that Ms Claire Short, EITI will be in Zambia from 1st to 5th October and that this will be an opportunity for AZMEC/industry to present their case.
(at this point 16.00 hours Mr Ravat left)
2.
/ MoMEWD – GRZ Liaison Communications & Cadastre Affairs Sub Committee· AZMEC / CMZ / MoMEWD Proposed Amendments to the Mines & Minerals Development Act 2008 - Status: it was felt that there was need to bring more people on board in this subcommittee, it was proposed that Alex Matthews and Emmanuel Mobela joint this subcommittee. It was reported that so far one MAC committee meeting has been held. The chairman informed the meeting that he would seek an urgent meeting with the Minister to discuss the MCU. It was proposed that notes for this meeting should be prepared in advance and that a strong team should be formed to present them to the Minister.
· ZEMA Issues: the chairman said following the meeting with the Minister there has been no progress. Nic J Money and Julian Green to follow up and report back to the council.
· SI 33 of 2012: following the implementation of this SI, industry (CMZ/AZMEC) wrote a letter to the Minister which was followed up by a meeting during the ZIMEC 2012 conference. It was proposed that AZMEC should collaborate with the Chamber of Mines of Zambia and the Farmers Union and other institutions and challenge government on this SI. Also take up all measures to establish the legal implications.
· GRZ Questionnaire: it was proposed that an email be sent to Mr Billy Chewe to find out the background to this questionnaire and what is the intended purpose and the target audience.
· Cadastre Affairs, Default Notices: the collection of letters of compliance had commenced. It was again proposed that the council should continue to put enough pressure on the Ministry to streamline the MCU functions.
3.
/ Finance, Membership & Administration Sub CommitteeFINANCE REPORT
DATE
DATE / 31/05/2012 / % / 28/06/2012 / % / MATURITY
BANK BALANCE :
US$ / 70,567.99 / 73,661.72
ZMK / 12,756,311.81 / 23,580,244.20
TBs (ZMK) / 112,975,707.35 / 0
PABS INVESTMENT
91 DAYS / 128,270,577.23 / 12.5 / 128,270,577.23 / 12.5 / 09/7/2012
91 DAYS / 112,000,000.00 / 12.5 / 03/9/2012
· OFFICE ACCOMMODATION: it was reported that notice to vacate the current premises has been received from the landlord, date of vacation is 31st August, 2012. It was proposed to follow up with earlier application with Mpele House, (Andrew Goode to speak to Mr Muna Hantuba). Also check the other premises within this area for availability.
· Budget 2012/2013: it was proposed that quarterly reports should be produced which should present actual against performance
4.
/ Training & Career Development Sub Committee· Sub Committee leader was requested by the council to prepare a training plan for the year.
5.
/ Publicity & Public Relations Sub Committee:· ZIMEC 2012: the ZIMEC 2012 was a success. It was proposed that the organizers be requested to forward a formal report. Roger Staley to initiate email and circulate to councilors email for comments.
· AZMEC Bulletin: 400 copies were circulated during the ZIMEC 2012 conference, the cost was K37M sponsored by AME Trade who have also proposed to get involved in future productions. It was proposed that they should put their proposal in writing. The issue of the bulleting distribution was also alluded to.
· Mining Film/Documentary Production: proposed that sponsors should be found for re-runs. A program should be designed on how many re-runs, when and which media houses.
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/ Website Development & Maintenance Sub Committee· General Update: No report for this meeting.
7.
/ Uranium Explorers and Producers Sub Committee· General Update: prices still at $50.75.
The workshop help in April was a success, still awaiting report of recommendations. Andrew Goode and Wiscort Banda are part of the committee dealing with legislature.
8.
/ Oil, Gas & Coal Sub Committee· General Update: GRZ not yet established SI for companies to operate. Subcommittee leader to draft letter to the Minister requesting for an update.
9.
/ Chamber of Mines· General Update: they will be a Council meeting tomorrow, 29th June on the copperbelt. Andrew Goode as Secretary of AZMEC will represent AZMEC as well as alternate for Dr Sixtus Mulenga at future Chamber meetings.
10.
/ Federation of Small Scale Mining Association of Zambia· General Update: it was reported that FSSMAZ is attending the great lakes meeting. The ongoing project with ZCCM – IH has covered North-western Province. From next week, Monday they will be in Ndola rural. It was also reported that ZCCM – IH have expressed interest in sponsoring only 3 mines for this project. The FSSMAZ profile has been completed and submitted. The list of all members’ mines will be finished after baseline survey. A discussion ensued with regards to FSSMAZ members’ operations and it was proposed that FSSMAZ should request ZCCM –IH to purchase a drill rig on their behalf for their members to assist with exploration. It was also suggested that they should also request ZCCM – IH to sponsor a Geologist to assist in exploring certain areas before drilling comments. FSSMAZ thanked the ZIMEC organizing committee for inviting them to participate and exhibit during the conference. The chairman commended FSSMAZ for finally submitting their profile.
11.
/ UNZA School of Mines· General Update: it was reported that the National Symposium will take place in November and that they have so far received K80M donation from Mopani Copper Mines.
· Student Industrial Attachments: It was reported that following companies took students on industrial attachments: Ausdrill Zambia x 2; Vale X 4; Rio Tinto x 1, Denison x 3 and Luiri Gold x 2. Osbert thanked AZMEC for facilitating the attachments through its membership.
· GIA’s Accredited Jewelry Professional Diploma Program – this program was held from 18th to 22nd June and the participants did very well. Mr Gilbert Temba, AZMEC President officiated at the opening ceremony.
· Advisory Board Meeting – the council was informed that this meeting has been postponed from 29th June to a date to be communicated. The chairman requested the subcommittee leader to prepare a broad update for the next meeting in order to establish and focus on the best way forward with regards to proposed long term initiatives which will require involvement by ZCCM – IH and CMZ.
12.
/ Geological Society of Zambia· General Update: it was reported that a meeting has been planned for 7th July to look at the previous bill and try resuscitating this.
13.
/ Any Other Matters· Council of Churches: the meeting was informed that a meeting has been finally arranged with the chiefs and Denison management.
14.
/ Date of Next Meeting· The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 30th August, 2012, at 14.00 hours, at AZMEC Secretariat, Lusaka.
The Chairman thanked the councillors attending the meeting.
Signed ………………….. Signed ………………..
Chairman Secretary
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