Zambia drops 15% export tax on gemstones

According to Mining News Pro - The news was welcomed by Gemfields (JSE: GML), which runs Kagem, the world’s largest emerald mine, located in the Copperbelt province of Zambia.

The company has had to pay 21% in taxes for its shipments from the African country this year, as its gemstones were also subject to a long-standing 6% mineral royalty. That compares with only 2.5% and 2% producers pay in large-emerald exporting countries Colombia and Brazil, respectively, Gemfields said.

The duty hit small-scale gemstones miners the hardest, as they were unable to attract significant investment this year.

Mining accounts for more than 70% of the southern African nation’s foreign exchange earnings.

Gemfields is also the operator and 75% owner of the Montepuez ruby mine, which is located in Mozambique.

It also holds controlling interests in various other gemstone mining and prospecting licences in Zambia, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Madagascar.