(right) and his Deputy George Zulu (centre) inspect the Lusaka fuel
storage depot with Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta before
commissioning of the plant
Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma has suspended the illegal mining activities on the copper slag dump commonly known as ‘black mountain’ located in Wusakile township Kitwe.
Mr Yaluma has since directed police to guard the area and ensure that all the illegal miners vacate the place immediately until government formalises the process of legally handing over the slag dump.
He said government was concerned with the safety of the miners so it wants to formalise the mining activities so that miners can mine freely and safely.
He noted that the facility is a death trap as it can collapse at any time.
Mr Yaluma was speaking in Kitwe yesterday when he met the illegal miners at the slag dump site.
The miners have since agreed to suspend their illegal mining activities until government formalises the handle over process.
And Mr Yaluma has observed that the slag dump can help to create jobs for the youths if properly managed.
And Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga who accompanied the minister to the site urged the illegal miners to form cooperatives and register their cooperatives in order to commence the process of awarding them mining certificates and mining portions.
Mr Kamanga said government wants to ensure that miners make significant profits from their mining activities.
And Kitwe District Police Deputy Commanding Officer Peter Miselo said the police will ensure that all the illegal miners vacate the place immediately.
ZANIS
“Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma has suspended the illegal mining activities on the copper slag dump commonly known as ‘black mountain’ located in Wusakile township Kitwe.”
How does someone suspend something that is illegal?!
It’s either the Minister’s action amounts to nothing (i.e. he’s wants to be seen to be doing something) or the miners are not in fact illegal and need to be known as legitimate, not illegal.
Just some thoughts.
Nathaniel, That’s why I have made the below as a joke. Its rough bro. Hahaha illegal my foot and suspended.
Nathaniel its the reporter to blame. Thats the way he has grasped the minister’s action. Unfortunately nowadays we are at the mercy of half educated reporters
Exactly my point as well. How do you suspend an illegal activity?? Please bwana minister of mines, try to find ways of legalizing that illegal, yet crucial economic activity for those engaged in it.
Ok fine. Lets find a way of getting a buck off the “paupers” illegal miners. They making money without Nichekeleko. We came to eat!!!
Suspending the ‘illegal’? Anything is possible these days!!
Bu ba LT the picture above should show the said dump site near 16feet Kitwe in line with yr story not the minister inspecting a fuel depot in Lusaka.
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT:
YOU CANNOT ELIMINATE ILLEGAL MINING AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A MARKET WITH READY CASH SET UP BY CHINESE RACKETEERS THROUHOUT ZAMBIA!!!
So individuals are making a handsome profit from this “dump” then look for ways in which the government could tax these miners and generate tax revenue from it….merely placing secruity doesn’t dolve the problem.
THE GOVT MUST TAKE THAT DUMP SERIOUSLY.
MY CALCULATION SHOWS THAT DUMP CONTAINS US$3.5 BILLION WORTH OF EXTRACTABLE COPPER PLUS SOME COBALT.
AND WE HAVE TO BORROW US$750 MILLION EURO BOND.
ARE WE FOOLS?