KCM ADVISED TO QUICKLY SETTLE ITS DUES TO ZESCO AND CEC TO AVOID UNPRODUCTIVE POWER RESTRICTIONS
By Michael Kaluba
Energy Expert Johnstone Chikwanda is calling on Konkola Copper Mines-KCM to quickly settle its dues to stakeholders such as ZESCO Limited and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation-CEC- for power to avoid unproductive power restrictions.
In a letter dated 20 October 2021 signed by ZESCO Managing Director and addressed to the Managing Director of CEC, ZESCO Limited requested CEC to restrict power to the entire KCM business unit, which receives over 400 megawatts of power daily, to 80 megawatts beginning from 28 October until ZESCO Limited issues a different communication.
But Mr. Chikwanda says these non payment of power dues resulting in power restrictions to one of Zambia’s biggest mines at a time when copper prices are at an all time high has the potential to affect governments aspirations to ramp up annual production up to 3 million tons.
Mr. Chikwanda is of the view that in addition to kcm paying ZESCO and CEC, stakeholders must work quickly to resolve all the matters around the 3 firms for long term productivity.
PHOENIX NEWS