President Hakainde Hichilema says the government wants Zambians to benefit from the country’s mineral wealth.

The Head of state says this is why the government is consolidating the business environment in the mining sector to allow Zambian citizens to benefit from their resources.

President Hichilema said this when he hosted a delegation from the Chamber of Mines led by its president Godwin Beene at State House yesterday.

The President has since encouraged the chamber of mines not to wait for issues to compound but engage the government on any pressing issues as they arise.

The Head of state says the government remains resolute in growing the mining sector for the benefit of the Zambian people.

President Hichilema states that while mining investors’ interest is to make profits, the government wants to strike a balance between Zambians and mine owners so as to have a win-win situation where all stakeholders are happy.

“As you know we are going through what we call as consolidating the business operating environment, including the mining sector but at the same time we want Zambians who God endowed with these minerals to benefit from them”.

“This is where we miss each other with sector players where when the government wants its citizens to get value from these minerals players think that we want to disturb their business. All we want is that we are all happy” President Hichilema said.

And Chamber of Mines President, Godwin Beene, assured the government of his institution’s support especially in its quest to increase copper production from the current 830, 000 Metric tons to 3 Million Metric tons by 2030.

Dr Beene says the Chamber realises that it is only through close partnership between government and sector players which will bring about the much needed development in the mining sector.

Meanwhile President Hichilema has appealed to former Vice Presidents to help in holding the country together.

The Head of State says former and present Zambian leaders have the responsibility of keeping the country as a unitary state.

The President said this during a State Lunch-On hosted in honor of former Vice Presidents and their spouses at State House in Lusaka.

Mr Hichilema noted that the government recognises the role former leaders played and continues to play in the country’s social dispensation hence the need to value and appreciate them for their invaluable services.

And speaking in a vote of thanks Former Vice President, Brigadier General, Godfrey Miyanda thanked the government of President Hakainde Hichilema for recognising them at each and every stage of his governance.

General Miyanda explained that previously, it was unheard of for former vice presidents to be hosted in state house either for lunch or any other engagement as it is happening now under Mr Hichilema.

“Mr President on behalf of my colleagues and on my own behalf we want to thank you very much for recognising us and we don’t take for granted the honour and recognition we continue to receive from you and your government, we now feel as Zambians.” Gen. Miyanda stated.

Republican Vice President Mutale Nalumango also attended the Lunch-On.

Other former Vice Presidents who attended the Lunch-On included Dr Nevers Mumba and Mr Enock Kavindele while former Prime Minister Malimba Masheke, and former Vice presidents Inonge Wina and Dr Guy scott could not be available as they were reported ill.

However by press time, President Hichilema was on his way to former Vice President Guy Scott’s house to check on him while another delegation was dispatched to both Mrs Inonge Wina and General Malimba Masheke respectively.