The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors has announced that Augustine Mubanga has stepped down as president of the association effective 23 November 2021. His stepping down has raised concerns that the mining industry may be pivoting away from supporting the cause of local contractors and suppliers.
According to a statement issued by the General Secretary George Jere, the Board of Executive Members has accepted the decision by Mubanga to step down and has appointed Coster Mwaba as the interim president.
Jere said Mubanga’s term of office came to an end on the 30th of September 2021 and he had indicated that he was not going to be available for the presidency during the forthcoming elective conference hence his stepping aside.
He said Mubanga had been instrumental in the promotion of local content, establishment of the regulator or specialised mining Agency in the mining sector as a sure way of increasing severance of the mining industry performance.
He added that the outgoing president was also instrumental in the enactment of the SI on the local content in the sector, the revision of the Mines and Minerals Development Act in order to make it amendable to investors and the inclusion of local suppliers and contractors in the supply chain businesses across the board.
He noted that as the association works through the transition, he was confident that the combination of the new leader, the members of the association and the business partners would continue to deliver the exceptional leadership and provide opportunities to its members.
Jere said the association will build on the momentum Mubanga and the team had set and continue making progress on the goals and objectives of improving access to business opportunities in the mining sector, making meaningful contributions and support to local content, serving the diverse membership and ensuring the resources needed to deliver the value and service to the members and partners is in place.
He thanked Mubanga on behalf of the board and the general membership, for the hard work, dedication and creativity he brought to his role and wished him the best in the next phase of life.
