A wrangle is emanate in Kainafumu Resettlement Scheme in Solwezi East were government has demarcated 9000 farm plots to resettle farmers and the First Quantum Mining (FQM) has started mining exploration on the same piece of land.
The mining explorations have been authorized by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development.
The mining exploration exercise may displace farmers in an event that copper ores is found in the resettlement area.
The office of the vice president had earlier designated the 14,000 hectares of land as a resettlement scheme and approved the demarcation of 9,000 farm plots in the area.
Kainamfumu resettlement scheme committee chairperson John Kamwanga said the fear of farmers is that they will be evicted from the land should copper ores be found in the area.
Mr Kamwanga also complained that exploration activities by FQM have damaged the road that government rehabilitated and this will affect the transportation of agricultural inputs in the resettlement.
And Campsite Supervisor Daniel Saji confirmed that FQM started the explorations in March this year when North-western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga visited the area.
Mr Malupenga assured the farmers that his office will engage the parties involved so that an amicable solution is found because the matter is between government institutions.
Government has already completed the construction of the health post and staff houses at a cost k300, 000 in the resettlement as part of its programme to provide basic services to the farmers.
FQM is a company running the mining operations at Kansanshi mine.
We can talk off new stadiums, roads and a few good things for 50yrs now no government has stood up for its communities, if someone’s lands hold a valuable resource to the nation, in a land of civilised people, the person is compensated and local infrustracture rerouted and pass inspection, I,e roads, water systems, schools/hospitals, before any exploration work start. Buy hey education , logic is not really an . African cure.
Afrika is always disgusting when it comes to the way its treats its own people. Are we going to forever neglect the essence of ubuntu and go for pecuniary advantage come rain or sunshine?? Come on guys, be humane and do the right thing. You want donors to come and protect your own people from your callousness really?? LETS DO ONE THING RIGHT FOR ONCE IN OUR FCUKING LIVES!
First Quantum Minerals is God.
Zambia made them what they are today, through Bwana Mukubwa Mine.
Just accept it, YOU WILL INEVITABLY HAVE TO SURRENDER YOUR LAND TO THEM!
The Lambas in Sakania had to do so when copper was discovered by them at the Frontier Mine there. The compensation paid to the farmers was peanuts.
Move out now!!!!
We don’t have a gov’t! We are run by the Mines and their ‘Investors.’
It’s real difficult to remain positive on the current Gov’t, I must admit!
If we are lucky we might get ‘some’ revenue, but probably FQM have already found a way around paying any tax.
It is really tiresome!!
Mind you most gov’ts do the same. Here in the UK we have ‘FRAKING’ underneath houses!
We just need our gov’t to be mindful of people. Being. Africa, they just treat citizens any how. Farmers should have been told all this before hand. Why was this land marked out for exploration when it had been earmarked for exploration?
Once again our land is being denied to Zambians.
i will like to com and joi the mining