Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said yesterday an inquiry would also be undertaken into the existence of ‘illegal’ mineral smelters in the mining region and surrounding areas.
“Definitely we’ll move in to do some verification in respect to the illegal smelting and other mining activities on the Copperbelt and all illegitimate premises will be shut down without hesitation,” Mr Chanda warned.
He was reacting to recent incidents of violence involving groups known as ‘Jerabos’, mostly unemployed young men who have invaded mining companies like Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for copper materials that they sell to makeshift smelting operators located in townships.
These are said to be business entities in possession of government-approved mining licences despite not owning quarrying businesses.
Two jerabos have been killed in the last week in confrontations with police assigned to protect the assets of KCM in Chingola, the latest death happening two days ago when a band said to number around 50, some armed with machetes was confronted by armed police inside the Nchanga Mine premises
HH is behind all illegalities in the mines.
If he had Zambia at heart when selling the mines we would be miles ahead.
So keep him behind bars even for those offences in the mines – its his fault.
What did they use to press his nose flat?
But where was the Ministry of Mines when this ‘illegal’ mineral smelters in the mining region and surrounding areas were set up.
who gave these foreigners work permits?
Who gave them licencees?
How are theses companies operating? Do we have Company Acts?
How are they paying Taxes?
Where are they selling their products ?
How much revenues is this country losing?
What is the Safety of our local people working in these smelters?
Oh Lord Help us !!
Where was the Ministry of Mines when these ‘illegal’ mineral smelters in the mining region and surrounding areas were set up?
Who gave these foreigners work permits?
Who gave them licences?
How are these companies operating? Do we have Company Acts?
How are they paying Taxes?
Where are they selling their products?
How much revenue is this country losing?
What is the Safety of our local people working in these smelters?
Oh Lord Help us!!
Comment:
Imwe ba pastor, PS Musonda has not referred to any ‘foreigners’, where did you pick that fake news from?
let us be analytical in our issues, you do not know a sub-culture that is right now being formed in chingola, by these guys?
these questions must be answered by a well meaning Zambians?
it is not just about investigations about ‘illegal’ mineral smelters, it is all about job creations to these youths in chingola who are causing bedlam.
how do we prevent these groups from becoming “very bad guys”
how do we correct these slip-up that we have created?
The “litter” on the PS’s table indicates how organised he is!