Denison Mines Zambia Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga district for the relocation of 107 households from a uranium mining site.
The MOU will create terms and conditions for the relocation negotiation process of some households in the Muntanga and Dibbwii community.
The relocation of the families follows Denison Zambia Limited’s (DMZL) plans to start mining uranium deposits in the area.
The mining activities will be concentrated in the two villages of Muntanga and Dibbwii in Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga district, approximately 40 kilometres from Siavonga township.
The signing of the MoU between Chief Sinadambwe and DMZL General Manager, Andrew Goode took place yesterday in the office of Siavonga District Commissioner, Emily Striedl.
“This MoU sets out the basic procedures for the relocation negotiation process between the parties and describes how DMZL will through the Relocation Committee, negotiate with the traditional leadership, government stakeholders and affected villages at every stage of the relocation process,” stated the six paged document.
The MoU further stated that a relocation committee, which is the steering committee for all issues relating to relocation of the affected communities and comprises of representatives from DZL, affected village headmen, youths, women, and government officials among others, shall be a forum for communication, negotiation and agreement of all matters relating to relocation.
The document further outlines that once the relocation process has been concluded and a site approved by both parties, the mine will facilitate the undertaking of a valuation exercise to properly value the immovable assets and agricultural fields that fall within the mine area in order to come up with a compensation package.
The MoU added that the compensation package for all households who will have signed and executed the provisions of the relocation agreement will be considered and determined.
“The package will describe what kind of compensation each affected household can be expected to be entitled to as a result of the impending relocation. Standard compensation criteria will be developed and will guide the allocation of individual compensation based on the information from the valuation of immovable assets and fields,” it stated.
The compensation package for the affected villages will include among other things, improved houses designed by an architect, a school, clinic, market, and sports facilities.
The design of the new village will also incorporate the potential for future electrification projects in conjunction with the Rural Electrification Authority.
ZANIS
That’s a sad development for the poor settlers… shelter is one of the basic life support …
I hope they will be given a decent area, houses and some compesation. Am sure these people must be farmers (whatever scale) and so they need an area equivalent to their ‘home’. At the same time they must not exposed to Uranium mining activities because of its radioactive nature. ECZ landilineko abanesu.
Hope bakabasubako ulutali muli compasation coz these cases demands for umuzulu sana
Another TIKA project!