CHILILABOMBWE — Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM) has brought local businesses closer to the mining value chain through its 2026 SME Day, as the company seeks to deepen participation by Zambian enterprises in its growing operations.
Held under the theme “Partnering for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity,” the event brought together SMEs, KCM business partners and Government representatives for discussions around procurement, supplier development and opportunities within the mining industry.
The event was attended by Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, who was Guest of Honour, alongside Copperbelt Province Permanent Secretary Laurence Mwanza and Chililabombwe District Commissioner Kelly Jibinga.
For participating SMEs, the event provided a direct platform to understand KCM’s procurement requirements, showcase their capabilities and engage business partners on potential opportunities to supply goods, services and technical solutions.
KCM Acting Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Mewett said the engagement was intended to bring businesses and KCM closer to the operational challenges facing the mine—and encourage SMEs to develop solutions rather than simply wait for procurement opportunities.
Mewett urged businesses to compete on the fundamentals of price, quality and delivery, while challenging them to look beyond traditional areas such as scrap and tailings.
He said SMEs with the right technical capabilities should focus on solving genuine problems within mining operations.
“We want businesses to look beyond the obvious opportunities and use their capabilities to solve real challenges within the mining operation,” Mewett said.
Dr. Kabeta said the SME Day offered a practical avenue for translating Government’s local-content agenda into opportunities for Zambian businesses.
He encouraged SMEs to strengthen their capabilities in quality, safety, certification, technology, governance and timely delivery, noting that progressive local-content requirements provide for at least 40 percent participation in applicable core mining goods and services.
KCM Chief Commercial Officer Prakash Gopukumar said the company’s business partner model provides an important pathway for SMEs seeking to participate in the KCM supply chain.
He said KCM would continue supporting the local supply ecosystem through engagement, capacity building and initiatives aimed at improving access to procurement opportunities, equipment and financing.
The message from industry and Government was consistent: the opportunity is growing, but local businesses must be ready to compete.
Chililabombwe SMEs Business Association President Joel Mwansa welcomed the initiative, saying it gives local businesses an opportunity to present their capabilities directly to KCM and its strategic business partners.
He urged SMEs to remain compliant, competitive and consistent in delivering quality products and services on time.
The event opened with a safety share from KCM Deputy Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer (HSE) Lloyd Moomba, who highlighted the company’s “Remember Home” campaign and reminded participants that successful business must always begin with protecting people.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
KCM SME Day comes as the mining company seeks to strengthen its operations and local economic linkages.
The underlying question for Zambia’s mining sector is increasingly not simply how much copper can be produced, but how much economic value can be retained within the country through local suppliers, skills, jobs and enterprise development.
For SMEs in Chililabombwe and across the Copperbelt, KCM’s message was clear:
The door to the mining supply chain is open—but businesses must be ready to walk through it.
