GOVERNMENT has urged Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to address the emissions of sulphur dioxide affecting the residents of Mufulira.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minster Christopher Yaluma said MCM, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to assist the people of Kankoyo area to repair the damage caused on infrastructure and environment through gas emissions.
Mr Yaluma said after a conducted tour of MCM plant in Mufulira at the weekend. He said MCM should find ways of addressing the issues affecting the people of Kankoyo who had been seriously affected with the emissions of sulphur dioxide.
“We would like to see life brought back in Kankoyo and so as part of CSR of Mopani, the company should do more and help the residents with the rehabilitation of infrastructure development.
“Right now I know Mopani has provided the residents with piped water but we need to see more to assist our people in having a better life,” he said.
Mr Yaluma further commended MCM for the good works that it was doing in ensuring that it provided high safety standards to its employees.
He urged other mining companies in Zambia to emulate MCM investment in order to lift up the Zambian economy.
Mr Yaluma said MCM’s target for reducing sulphur dioxide by 97 percent by December this year once the plant was fully constructed was a welcome move.
He urged other mining companies to emulate MCM so as to increase the production rate.
And MCM chief processing officer Narain Goyal said the new acid plant would be completed by December this year.
Mr Goyal said once the plant is completed, only three percent of sulphur dioxide would remain and described it as a world class standard.
Ilyashi lyakwakaleya ilya center ku kankoyo. All parties that re in gvt talks about sulphur dioxide fwebene fwebene ati center but non end up doing jack about it
OMG that place called kankoyo is an environmental sorry site.Its degradation goes back a long time ago, I wonder what it is like nowadays!
Where is the environmental agency ZEMA?. sleeping as usual after being bribed by MCM so they can not do their work.
ZEMA has been on KCM’s case for years, its due to this selfsame pressure that KCM upgraded its smelter to reduce harmful emissions of sulphur. The problem we have in Zambia is that there is too much political interference from dim docile politicians who know nothing about environmental issues and are only interested in job creation and brown envelopes from the wealthy corporations. Look at what is happening in NW province a minister overriding ZEMA’s to halt construction of the dam in the name of keeping 500 casual labouers.
Adress the issue……., are you kidding me? this is an urgent matter to be dealt with now, if there are emissions roaming in our skies and you refer to it being “adressed to” then you have another thing coming! Check Good copper bad copper documentary please? These are crimes being committed against humanity period, cancer will flow like swamps peopleoooo.
This scandal has been on-going for years, watch the documentary “Good copper Bad copper”- online. The Government needs to tell these “Financial Nazi’s”, clean up your act, or “Fcuk” off out of Zambia. Its high time these people realise we may be poor, but African lives are NOT worthless!
The headline should have been – “Mopani urged to address the emissions of sulphur dioxide STILL affecting Mufulira residents”
This matter should be left in the hands of ZEMA not a minister and certainly not someone like Christopher Yaluma whose good at talking – what did he do at communication? How can he be advising them when this matter is affecting public health and children are dieing? If the gov’t wants to see more they should tax the mines adequately so that resources trickle down to the community…these so called educated ministers likeYaluma need to be enlightened about CSR…it seems none of them fully understand what it is.
Moreover provision of water supply is not CSR that is the job of the council…CSR is about empowering the community. KCM should just reduce harmful emission simple as that to acceptable international standards.
looter, fraudster, polluter,etc…
what government is in power, it eats in their hands
few days ago, the buffon Mines and Energy minister Yaluma said Govt is happy with Mopani…
That is the change ??!!
Yaluma=Mopani’s General Manager Communications
The pay may be very good.
The people will see oneday. I’m watching and they’l pay for crimes against humanity. In Europe can an African company be allowed to abuse the natural environment? and Yet you tell me slavery has ended. What is a few jobs against abusing our land? They take our copper for free without paying tax ati they are providing jobs. My eyes! It’s time Zambia woke up. Tax Tax Tazx instead of taxing the poor affected Zambians tax these robbers robbing our land and robbing us just because we are so backwards and good at talking for nothing. Whe are we gona act? I’m preparing plans that will save Zambia’s natural resources and put them in the hands of Zambians not foreigners. Why must our people be poor when God gave us Minerals? I’m coming with rage to develop my Nation because I love my country.
Spot on…sadly the people and politicians would rather politick all day about useless issues. Just have a look at the low comments on this particular issue.
True Jay Jay @ 9.1. Issues that should be of real concern, those that would lift us out of Poverty, Ignorance, Inferiority, exploitation, e.t.c are the least commented on- i.e. this topic. Bring on Sex Scandals, & you can never even find space to make a comment, due to the high volume of comments pa L.T. What really concerns me is this is the Caliber of Individuals, that in future will go on to lead this nation. To say the least, I despair for Zambia!!!