CSO’S CRY FOUL OVER SNUB DURING PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

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CSO’S CRY FOUL OVER SNUB DURING PRESIDENTIAL VISIT

By Michael Kaluba

The Copperbelt Civil Society Mining Consultative Forum is disappointed that President Hakainde Hichilema failed to interact with civil society organizations on the Copperbelt province despite visiting and interacting with the mining host community stakeholders twice in one month.

In a statement issued by the Forum Chairperson Gerald Mutelo, stakeholders are challenging the government through the president to ensure that this week-long visit to the province, culminates into decisions on the matters affecting the mining sector especially Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines.

The forum is of the view that while the Mopani Copper Mines issue is being handled professionally, it must be expedited with extra precaution measures required during negotiations which must see the government return not less than 50% shares to maintain the power of decision making.

The forum is convinced that taxes and dividends are not enough to steer the development required in the province and that there is adequate human and financial capital available to manage the mines through the government but highlights the need to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining before giving licenses to Zambians.

The Copperbelt Civil Society Mining Consultative Forum comprises: the Democratic Governance & Human Rights Advocates-DEGHA, the Southern Africa Resource Watch-SARW, Catholic Diocese of Ndola-Caritas Ndola, the Emerald and Semi-Precious Minerals Association Of Zambia-ESMAZ and the Citizens For Transformation Network-CTN.

Other organizations include Sustainable Natural Resource Empowerment Initiative-SUNREI, Kirila Naturals, Development Education Project-DECOP, Future Preneur Zambia-FPZ, the Action for Sustainable Development-ASD, Activists for Justice and Development-AJUDE, and the Mine Workers Union of Zambia-MUZ.

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