KITWE District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu says government is concerned about the survival of the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Nkana refinery plant.
Mr Mpundu says the reduction of production of copper from the normal 13,000 metric tonnes of cathodes to about 3000 metric tonnes per month is worrying when only about half of the power supply was cut when the country was experiencing load shading adding that the reduced production at the mine is a clear indication that jobs of the workers were not safe.
Speaking during a familiarization tour of KCM Nkana Refinery in Kitwe today, Mr Mpundu said government attaches great importance to the security of the workers.
Mr Mpundu called on KCM to engage local contractors as an option to create jobs for the local people.
He wondered why KCM does not engage local demolition companies to dismantle the old plant as a way of creating jobs.
He said reduction of productivity may affect the jobs of the local residents adding that the installation of the boilers may raise the levels of production.
Mr Mpundu warned KCM to keep its contractors in check as government will not tolerate contractors ill-treating local workers any more.
And KCM Nkana Refinery Manager Bernard Siabeenzu said the reduction in the production levels is due to the deficit of power supply the country was experiencing last year.
‘’The reduction in the manpower and production was due to the electricity challenges the country was facing last year. As KCM we are in the process of installing boilers which will be commissioned in the coming month and we hope that the production levels will improve when the boilers start working,’’ Mr Siabeenzu said.
Mr Siabeenzu assured the workers that they will not lose their jobs as the skilled manpower has been transferred to Nchanga Mine and underground mining in Chililabombwe.
Meanwhile Mine Union Workers of Zambia Chairperson Jairos Matafwali said workers are at risk of losing their jobs as the mine is slowly becoming a white elephant with less activity occurring at KCM Nkana.
Mr Matafwali said workers risk losing their jobs because the tank house no longer receives anodes that enable people have jobs because management decided to deliberately externalize the refinery function.
“Mr Matafwali said workers risk losing their jobs because the tank house no longer receives anodes that enable people have jobs because management decided to deliberately externalize the refinery function”
Why should the government allow a mining company deliberately externalize their refinery function? These are things the Ministry of Mines have to Include in contracts they sign with the so called investors. The country has to protect the jobs. I hope the PS at the Ministry is aware of this so he can take it into consideration.
Comment:honestly we tired of these Indians as miners here in nchanga the all plant was down starting from open pit,concentrators, smelter, tank houses, dams and Tlp coz the kcm did buy enough acid…if they can’t buy acid do you expect them to buy proper machinery like pumps and dump trucks..???? with out toothless government don’t know where we are going
TELL US WHERE TO BUY ACID FROM? THERE IS NO ACID ON THE MARKET AND THE LITTLE AVAILABLE ACID WITH THE CHINESE IS BEING EXPORTED TO THEIR MINES IN CONGO. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE STATISTICS BEFORE MAKING EMPTY STATEMENTS.
Sick country due to imbecilic leaders! No one knows anything other than abusing opposition parties or jailing their leaders! That is development and peace as far as they are concerned!
Guys,
Sending copper for refining abroad is a ploy contrived to defraud GRZ. There is gold contained in copper anodes. When refined, the gold drops out as ANODE SLUDGE. Years ago, Zambia had a precious metals plant in Ndola which recovered that gold, in addition to silver, platinum, palladium, selenium and tellurium. Chiluba, in his infinite wisdom, sold that plant. Now, the sludge produced from the refineries is sent to South Africa to recover the precious metals. It’s however assayed and royalty paid. If anodes are exported, royalty payment is evaded because the precious metals are found as traces in anodes!
JOSH i AGREE WITH YOU. IN FACT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BAN RAW COPPER ETC LEAVING THE COUNTRY. ALL SHOULD BE DONE HERE AND THEY TAKE OUT THE FINISHED PRODUCT. ZAMBIA IS BEING SWINDLED IN THIS WAY OF TAKING OUT RAW PRODUCE. THE REFINARYS WILL KEEP GOING AND IN THAT WAY PEOPLE GET TO KEEP THEIR JOBS. LIKE THIS SOMEONE WANTS TO SELL THE REFINARY AS THEY HAVE SOLD MOST COMPANIES.
Well said @Josh
Josh well said . Even the black mountain sludge has gold that can now be recovered because of better smelters.
But who are we, the powers that be know more than we do.
Chinese and indians actually have a passion for gold
Comment:And this is a company whose owner ( anil argawal) always sneaks into the country to meet ECL at state house,proclaims that he’ll create 7000 jobs but never sets foot on his investment here in chingola! Further he contract a one billion loan to buy significant shares in Anglo America co. Zambian Government please open your eyes KCM owners don’t mean well for us. I rest my case.