Mining in Zambia
A comprehensive look at the mining industry in Zambia
The mining industry in Zambia has been a crucial sector for the country’s economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and employment. With vast mineral resources and a long history of mining activities, Zambia has emerged as a major player in the global mining market.
Why Mining Matters
Zambia boasts one of the most valuable reserves of copper globally and holds the seventh position as a significant copper producer worldwide. It also possesses limited yet promising deposits of
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Manganese
While contributing approximately 20 percent of global emerald production. Mining activities contribute significantly to Zambia’s
- export earnings
- foreign direct investment
- government revenue
- employment generation
Copper alone accounts for more than 70 percent of the country’s foreign export earnings.
The mining industry has been a pillar of the Zambian economy for decades, attracting both domestic and international investment into the country.
The Current Challenges Facing Mining in Zambia
There can be little doubt as to the challenges that are faced in industries like mining overall, but here are a few important challenges specifically related to lubricants and automotive service parts that need to be addressed in the industry.
Inadequate Support Services
Access to reliable support and after-sales service can be limited when dealing with lubricants and automotive parts. Businesses in the mining sector may face challenges in obtaining prompt assistance, including troubleshooting, maintenance, or warranty claims, which can impact productivity and efficiency.
High Import Costs
Importing lubricants and automotive parts often incurs the following costs:
- high transportation costs
- customs duties
- taxes
These import costs can significantly increase the overall cost of these products. These additional expenses can make the parts and lubricants more expensive for businesses and consumers, impacting affordability and accessibility.
Lack of Product Quality Control
Inadequate quality control raises concerns about the quality and authenticity of lubricants and automotive parts that are imported into Zambia. Counterfeit products pose risks to manufacturing operations, leading to the following the issues:
- equipment malfunction
- decreased performance
- safety hazards
Solutions to These Challenges
The good news is that these challenges can be met with quality solutions. Here’s why local can be seen as a good option for businesses in the mining industry.
Cost Efficiency
Local providers like Fairfield Commodities can offer competitive pricing, resulting in:
- reduced transportation costs
- reduced import duties
- zero currency exchange risks
This can help mining businesses lower their procurement expenses and improve their cost competitiveness in the market.
Great Service
Working with a local business can offer reliable and timely customer support in the form of:
- warranty services
- troubleshooting assistance
- personal and prompt customer service
We pride ourselves on providing these quality levels of services to our clients, ensuring that mining businesses have access to assistance and solutions regarding our lubricants and service parts.
Quality Assurance and Customization
A local provider can work closely with mining businesses to understand their specific lubrication and automotive part needs. This allows them to offer customized solutions and specialized products tailored to the unique requirements of the business, as well as ensuring the quality of lubricants and automotive parts across the board.
By sourcing products from reliable manufacturers like Engen and establishing our own production facilities with stringent quality control measures, we can offer genuine, high-quality products that meet industry standards.
Whether you’re looking for a Hydraulic Fluid like Engen TQH 10, or a quality Gear Oil like Engen Gengear SPL PG, our products will meet, as well as exceed, every expectation you put on them.
Partner with a Local Zambian Company
Fairfield Commodities provides high quality, accessible lubricants and automotive service parts to businesses in the mining industry. We pride ourselves on our excellent service, and our partnership with Engen allows us to distribute only the best products to our clients.