CONSORTIUM OF CSOS PETITIONS HH TO UNLOCK KCM, MOPANI
…. also requests the President to address the operation challenges at Kansenseli gold mine
Wednesday August 23, 2023 (SMART EAGLES)
A consortium of Civil Society Organizations championing the revamping of the mining industry has petitioned President Hakainde Hichilema over the slaggish progress made in revamping Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mine.
The consortium is also requesting the Head of State to address the operational challenges at Kansenseli gold mine.
Consortium Member Samuel Banda says this is in the interest of creating job and business opportunities for the local people.
“Fellow citizens, as a consortium that has been advocating for the resumption of the mining sector, today 23rd August 2023 we have petitioned our Republican President Hakainde Hichilema to unlock the mining sector, but particularly Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mine,” said Mr Banda who is also Advocates for National Development and Democracy Executive Director.
“We have also requested our Republican President in our petition to address the operational challenges at Kansenseli Gold Mine. We must make it clear that in our petition, we have requested the President to unlock KCM in the interest of creating employment and business opportunities for our people. The government must also ensure that KCM pays off the debts it owes suppliers and contractors. As you may be aware, that both KCM and Mopani owes some contracted suppliers around US$200 million and these two giant mines they can only clear off these debts when they begin to operate at optimum level.”
He said he was aware that government has been into talks with Vedanta Resources over the operations of KCM and according to the Minister of Mines, only one issue is remaining to be resolved.
And Zambians for Unity Peace and Development President Ronnie Jere said the consortium has resorted to petitioning the Head of State after seeing that all engagements with the Minister of Mines have proved futile.
Mr. Jere was confident that President Hichilema would resolve this matter saying he is experienced in this area.
“We have decided to do that because we have tried other avenues of engaging the Minister of Mines but our engagements have not received any positive results. We have resorted to engage His Excellency because we know that he will help us to resolve these issues based on his previous experience in sorting out issues such as this. We know that if the mines start operating optimally, issues of unemployment for the youths who are roaming the streets will be a thing of the past,” he added.
He also said there are contractors and suppliers who have not been given their dues saying resolving this matter with the investor which is Vedanta will resolve this matter.
