ACTING President Edgar Lungu says Government has no plans to take over and run the mines in order to save jobs and that the sector will remain in the capable hands of private companies.
Mr Lungu was speaking in an interview yesterday following speculation that the Patriotic Front (PF) government would take over some mines.
“I can safely state that we have no plans whatsoever, now or in the near future, to take over any mine from anyone and run it,” Mr Lungu said. “Our job is to run government and provide a good environment for private business to flourish and not to take over any private company.”
Mr Lungu said what Government would always endeavour to do—not only in the mining sector— is to put on a “business and not a political hat” so that the markets are not adversely affected.
His statements have been echoed by Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda, who expressed confidence that there would be no job losses.
“No jobs would be lost at any mine in Zambia because the government is currently engaged in very progressive discussions with the unions, mine management and mine owners,” Mr Shamenda said.
Mr Shamenda, who spoke in a telephone interview with the Daily Mail yesterday, said: “It is my feeling that the government would continue embracing its policy of freeing rather than controlling the markets.
Therefore, as far as I know, no mine is being taken over as the acting President has clearly stated.”
Mr Shamenda called for calm among workers, who he said must not fear for their jobs in the long or short term as the high-level government and business talks continue.
Mining is Zambia’s second largest employer after the public service and any sign of instability in the sector is worrying.
Mr Lungu, however, expressed confidence that the discussions between Mr Shamenda’s office and the mines would yield positive results given the labour minister’s vast labour experience.
Vedanta recently said it may consider cutting jobs at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) but the decision has not gained ground following consultations with Government.
Meanwhile, Government has directed KCM to open dialogue with mine workers unions to find ways of mitigating the impact of high costs of production.
Government, KCM, Mine Workers Union of Zambia, National Union of Mining and Allied Workers and the United Mineworkers Union of Zambia held a joint consultative meeting on Wednesday following the proposal by the mining company to lay off 2,000 employees.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Labour Rayford Mbulu.
This is according to a statement released in Lusaka yesterday by the Ministry of Labour.
“The parties to the tripartite meeting agreed to allow consultations within a spirit of mutual respect in order to find a lasting solution to the problem,” the statement reads in part.
It is then that KCM and the three mine workers’ unions are expected to report back to Government the progress on the matter within two weeks.
Last week, KCM indicated that it intended to lay off 2,000 workers, prompting sharp reactions from a cross-section of society.
But what is Yamfwa Mukanga saying?
The minister said, “Government is capable of taking over KCM if Vendetta Resources Limited fails to run the mine”. This does not mean that Gvt has intentions of taking over mines. He is merely saying that should the mining company fail to the mine, Gvt won’t shut down the mine but would be capable of running it. Apa chabe ni chizungu na comprehension in the mix.
Ba kalamba ba critico. Some chaps on these blogs never take time to read, analyze and understand what is being said. Hence the reason we see a lot of irrational comments here.
And they wonder why they are unemployed! This is a clear two pronged message to these chaps that not ONLY are we capable of repossessing OUR ASSETS but we are ‘ALSO VERY CAPABLE OF RUNNING THEM’ using our own ‘MONEY and HUMAN RESOURCE’! Geeeez how did MMD manage to create an entire generation of sweir youth!
You will never find under 5 commenting on mine issues coz the diaper dresser knows he messed up big time in privatising them pocketing kick backs then buying cows from that cash. Talk of UNZA issues HH will be the first to comment before the students themselves….In that way he thinks thats being smart….& How is Bana under 5? Is she back frm Gurati,India?
A dull bitter bemba at it again. Bitterness will just eat you up. If you are poor in your clan, do not bring your frustrations to others. Go to Mr Urine bag and start cleaning that ka chamber mpolo and you will put food on the table for your kids
The worst douche bag ever after urine bag……turning cow dung into ice cream won’t take you anywhere.Tonganyoko jikala…..
@ Zekase be mindful and be informed that we Bemba’s are very respectful people and you must debate and analyse issues on the table without any tribal inclination. Does this probably explain why your party is very strong in ONLY one province and put the blame on the Bemba’s……..
The issue at hand regarding KCM requires serious attention and not people like you who only see tribalism in any trivial issue…be it football etc……
Am not Bemba but spot on Dre…Yikes your comments are they ones that are certainly under five…This Bemba Tonga argument will destroy you and in the process take us down who are not even part of this ethnic background…we are all Zambians first before we are Nsengas, Lozis, etc…
Following speculation that the PF government will nationalize the mines? This was no speculation. It was said by Minister of Mines Yamfwa Mukanga. Just admit that Lungu has slapped down this Mukanga chap. Mukanga is given to saying rubbish stuff. When he was appointed Transport , Works and Supply Minister he proceeded to announce that he was cancelling the construction of the Mongu-Kalabo road because it was a ‘political’ project. The Chinese slapped him down by announcing that it would take them at least 4 years to complete the project because of the annual floods.
then control yamfwa mukangan I believe he dos not know what is doing just like
then can control yamfwa mukanga he does not know what he is doing and just like deputy minister of sports uwailangile ubututu apa buta tutu.
Too many inconsistent statements by these Ministers…so who do we believe??
you should also learn to speak wirth one voice ba mambala.
You yikes you are u ar extrmly stupid and foolish. In ths case, why involve HH? Blame govt 4 the bad policies implmend. I no you are a pf cadre no wanda your reasoning is so poor. U know an empty tin always makes alot of noise and its u.
Do u really consult each other before issueing statement imwe mwe fikopo you dissapoint me and you like taking things lightly. Like on this issue people dont want to hear stories but actions which will benefial to people who voted not benefial to an indian beggar in india.
YES YOU HAVE NO PLANS TO TAKE OVER BECAUSE YOU ARE SETTLED COME TO CHINGOLA AND SEE FOR YOUR SELF POOR CHAP. THESE INDIANS ARE ALL OVER AND THEY WANT YOUR PEOPLE TO LOOSE EMPLOYMENT IN YOUR OWN SOIL PLEASE ZAMBIANS OPEN YOU EYES IMWE BAKOLWE
The once “successful” lawyer, stressing a position that every reasonable man ought to say at any forum, if that man be serious with handling investors, lol!
Broke PF govt
Now you are talking ! Way to go.
Exact opposite to what the other minister, Shamenda said. According to Shamenda government are ready to take over KCM and asked them tothey surrender the mine due to alleged failure but according o this other morron, NO, government are not.
There seems to be no unity of command in the government. What the acting President, the Minister of Mines and the minister of labour and Chamber of Mines are saying are not on the same page.
KCM’s Human Capital Management has been a disaster in this case. They did not advise top management on the right course or process to take. The CEO of KCM and the Vedanta Chairman could have been saved from this type of embarrassement.
Consdering that other mines have no problems with the issues raised by KCM, i am tempted to conclude that this development is spiritual in nature. What do you think.
One wonders whether these so-called ministers even talk to each other. And they have absolutely NO CLUE how much damage they are causing, i.e. why would a potential investor, Zambian or foreign, who is looking for predictability in his investment choose Zambia if he/she has a choice to go elsewhere? And I am sure Sata will also say something else when he comes back from Japan or wherever he has gone.
Most of what goes on in Government is beyond the understanding of most Ministers & Deputies, the calibre is indeed very poor. It is unfortunate that KCM is contemplating redundancies, brace for hard times. Removal of subsidies & other policies being implemented, good as most may look like, haven’t been thought through properly. Even in round table discussions in local eating & drinking places will give you an idea of how bad these chaps in Government are in terms of policy implementation & explaining of the same. The country needs intelligent people to ensure prosperity for most if not all. It is time we learn to provide checks & balances but also support where necessary.
But mwe bantu I really love these moments when cats go away. Especially one cat. President Lungu does a better job than that guy who is in Japan. He communicates with us, the electorate, regularly and soberly responds to our querries. Isn’t there an Eastern Province mfwiti we can contact so that Sata doesnt come back from Japan?
Can Lungu hold a press conference. He outshines the Cobra in all ways.
Yeah Lets just ask President Lungu for a Press Conference and I’m sure he will promptly oblige.
Despite his problems, which we all have, acting President Lungu does a very good job. Lets hope our kudos won’t jeopardise his chances. Well done Mr. Ag President. Is there a possibility of rectifying the problems in the Judiciary? Get rid of the granny and Chikopa, twapapata. Just use some clause somewhere in your Caps so and so……………..