Transnational corporations in the copper industry of Zambia : A technical paper

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the activities of transnational Corporations in the copper industry of Zambia with a view to determining (a) the factors that regulate costs and benefits in the copper industry; (b) the factors that determine the bargaining processes in this industry. The study is based for the most part on information obtained from primary sources, including official documents relating to the copper mining industry in Zambia and available historical books on the country, which contain useful material on the industry. In order to supplement this information and to gather up-to-date data on recent activities concerning the mining industry in general and the copper industry in particular, various mining year books, annual reports and other official documents were examined and interviews were undertaken. With regard to the latter the method of inquiry found most suitable was the open-ended personal interview; use of a questionnaire would not have allowed for amplification of various issues, particularly in view of the technical nature of the subject.