Undermining Development

SCIAF's Undermining Development campaign has achieved some big successes in Zambia!

Since the publication of our report highlighting the copper mining industry in Zambia, thousands of SCIAF campaigners joined together with Zambian civil society, academics and Christian Aid and ACTSA supporters to make sure Zambians get a better deal for their natural resources.

Thanks to your efforts, real progress has been made since the publication of the report:

· The Zambian government has introduced a new tax regime which, when implemented, will result in an estimated additional $415 million dollars for Zambia in 2008 alone

· This is many times what it would have earned under the former mining tax regime and equivalent to 200% of the Zambian goernment health budget.

· The Zambian government has also committed to further transparency and announced that it will use the money to “implement vital programmes in health and education”.

· KCM / Vedanta have agreed to adopt the new tax regime

· The Zambian government has committed to improve environmental and safety regulations

Vedanta and KCM should be commended for adopting the new tax regime – but they still need to make progress on transparency, worker’s rights and the environment. The Zambian government is trying to improve mining regulations and the UK government must also play its part, complementing the efforts of the Zambian government by ensuring that UK companies act responsibly overseas.

Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign, and well done!

Keep checking back for future updates on the campaign and further opportunities for action.