By JAMES KUNDA –

. MVUNGA

GOVERNMENT has started refunding K5.25 billion in Value Added Tax (VAT) owed to 14 mining companies countrywide, Finance Deputy Minister Christopher Mvunga has said.
Mr Mvunga said the refunds were being issued as the various mines provided documentation required as evidence.
He said this in Parliament recently, in response to a question by Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament (MP) Garry Nkombo.
“The total amount of VAT refunds due to the credit of mining companies as at December 8, 2015 is K5.25 billion.
“The VAT amounts are being paid as and when the taxpayers provide the necessary evidence of VAT claims,” he said.
Mr Mvunga said VAT payments had been increased following the amendments to the VAT rule in February this year.
He said it was normal for the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) to owe VAT refunds to registered businesses at any particular time of the year.
“This is due to the fact that refunds are claimed in a particular month but only payable in the following month once a business that is claiming such a refund satisfies all the required conditions such as providing documentary proof to the Commissioner General,” he said.
According to the amounts tabulated in Mr Mvunga’s response, Kansanshi Mines Plc is owed K1.89 billion, Konkola Copper Mines, K1.24 billion, Mopani Copper Mines, K1.69 million, Chambishi Metals plc, K157.97 million, Luanshya Copper Mines, K74.74, Chambishi Copper Smelter Limited, K73.14 million, Sable Zinc Kabwe Limited K56.81 million and Kagem Mining Limited K47.85 million.
Sino-metal leach is owed K5.94 million, Grizzly Mining, K4.15 million, Lubambe Copper Mine, K3.12 million, San He Zambia, K1.76 million, Genesis Procurement K244,956 and Kariba Minerals K239,173.