Zambia's chamber of mines sees 21,000 job cuts due to higher taxes

Mining companies in Zambia may lay off more than 21,000 workers. [Photo: Courtesy]

LUSAKA - Mining companies in Zambia may lay off more than 21,000 workers due to reduced capital expenditure over the next three years if the government introduces higher taxes in January, an industry body said on Tuesday.

Africa’s No.2 copper producer plans to introduce new mining duties, replace Value Added Tax with sales tax and increase royalties to help bring down mounting debt.