Chambers of Mines of Zambia President Nathan Chishimba says attaining the country’s target for copper production this year is now mere academic considering the crisis Mines are in.
Mr. Chishimba said the fact that Mines are now making hard decisions such as placing their operations on care and maintenance; is a sign that the sector is in distress.He told Qfm News that if government does not make considerations for the mining sector the current situation will continue even next year.He said government needs to realize that there is need to relook at the policy for the mining sector.
However, Government has ruled out revising of the 900, 000 tones copper production target for this year on account of the current economic crisis in the country.
Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa said government is confident that the country is going to navigate out of this critical time.
In an interview with Qfm News Mr. Musukwa said that the desire of government is that copper production is increased and overheads are reduced in terms of cost profile.
Mr. Musukwa said that in line with this desire government is importing electricity to bridge the gap arising from the power deficit currently being experienced in the country.
He said government will therefore not revise its copper production target just for the sake of doing it.
Mr Musukwa further said that “Kaili twalippepa so fyonse fyalabafye bwino, bakateka balilanda ati te problem yesu iyo but not ifyaku tanfwa abantu amanchito
The Government is most knowledgeable on this issue. The Minister of Mines and his experienced staff at the mines ministry must have assessed the situation. I feel that the Chamber of Mines is being ALARMIST!!!
@jameson Scott, the Chamber of Mines are in touch with what’s obtaining on the ground whilst this PF Govt are behaving like ostriches. Production levels have gone down and that’s a FACT due to:
1. Load shedding
2. High overhead costs
3. reduced man power etc
Be realistic and revise your output targets, we are only 2 months away from end of year.
Just pay the taxes there’s enough power being imported for mines
So why did all these learnt DOGS at ministry of mines whom i believe were working for ZCCM fail to run the mines.
It had to take the white men and indian and chinese to put back these mines back on track