MINEWORKERS Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Nkole Chishimba urged Government to constitute a technical team of mine experts to ascertain the viability of all mines in the country.
Mr Chishimba said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday establishing the viability of each mine will help Government deal with ‘bad’ investors who are allegedly in the habit of giving distorted reports and painting a gloomy picture about the viability of their operations.
He said the move will also help find suitable investors to run the mines and supplement Government’s efforts in transforming the country’s economy.
Mr Chishimba said the labour movement in the mining sector is not happy with some investors who do not value human capital because they always resort to retrenching workers whenever the sector faces challenges.
He said some mining companies had been planning to lay off workers way back before the sector started encountering the current challenges.
Mr Chishimba alleged that some mining companies are merely taking advantage of the unfavourable economic situation to achieve their long-term goal of reaping more profits through reduction of the workforce.
“Government must send a technical team to all mines to go and verify whether these mines are viable or not. Some mine owners don’t give out accurate information on the viability of their mines,” Mr Chishimba said.
He said it is important to protect the country’s mining sector from some investors interested only in amassing profits at the expense of contributing to the well-being of citizens and the country.
Mr Chishimba said it is unacceptable for mining companies to always resort to retrenching workers whenever there is a slump in global copper prices on the international market.
He called on all mines that have retrenched workers to reconsider the decision.
I can’t any PF minister who could call those foreign investors and tell them to behave or left them park and go.
Guys,
I have such experience conducting audits on mines in:
1) Bolivia
2) Mauritania
3) Australia
4) Ivory Coast
5) Sudan
6) Namibia
7) Iran, and
8) Mali
I have 16 years experience in Zambia and 2 in DR Congo. I’ll cherish the opportunity to come back and be of assistance.
…even the union itself has the capacity to constitute a technical team to do exactly the same….the other year govt did the same on Nchanga Mine…that Francis Temba team….up to now their report has not been released to the public….
When is Lubambe shutting down?
When is Metorex in Kalulushi going on care and maintenance?
We have been there before sir. You have not yet said anything.