Mining experts have hailed government for increasing the allocation to the energy sector from 40 Billion Kwacha to 57.8 Billion kwacha in the national budget.
In his budget presentation, Minister of Finance, Felix Mlusu, said that the funds will cater for wages and salaries and operations in departments of Energy, Natural Resources, Tourism, Environment, and Forestry.
In reaction, Grain Malunga, National Coordinator for Chambers of Mines while commending government said there is a need to have clear cut policies meant to uplift the extractive industry.
Malunga has since said it is high time government looked at the extractive industry as a catalyst for economic transformation.