Contractors at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) in Chingola yesterday staged a peaceful demonstration with a call on the government to expedite the mining firm’s liquidation process.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Ronald Mwautene said the liquidation process has taken longer than expected, hence the need for the government to speed up the process.
Mr. Mwautene, who thanked the government for disengaging itself from Vedanta, said the issues should be resolved in the quickest way possible so that mining operations can get back to normal.
ZANIS reports that Mr. Mwautene said this yesterday at the Nchanga constituency office in Chingola district, where KCM contractors had gathered to seek an audience with Nchanga Member of Parliament, Chali Chilombo, over the matter.
And Nchanga Member of Parliament Chali Chilombo said government is working hard to ensure that the matter is resolved as soon as possible.
Mr. Chilombo said the matter is currently in the courts of law and the government does not interfere in court matters.
He said he will take the message to relevant authorities so that the issue is addressed once and for all.
The mine, which is the wettest in the world, is currently under liquidation.
The issue of liquidation must have been first tabled before the board of KCM( which consists of 3 members for Vedanta and 3 members for ZCCM-IH) for consideration and possible resolution. Depending on the outcome of the board resolution and other relevant facts, then ZCCM-IH would have instigated GRZ to invoke liquidation process and Vedanta’s court actions(injunctions) will be limited to what was agreed to,during the last board meeting (resolution)prior to the liquidation process.The current delays to the winding up process is as a result of ZCCM-IH taking unilateral decision in clear breach of the Shareholders Agreement.Much as Iam not a fan for Vedanta,Iam afraid to say,they( Vedanta)have locus standi and the process may drag on and on.
This process is not going to be a quick one. It will take a long long time before it is resolved. As contractors, you are doomed if you are depending on this KCM. If I were you I would rather buy fertiliser and seeds to go farming.
Fuel 15 kwacha a liter, Kwacha exchange rate K14.50 to a dollar, Mealie meal K150 a 25 kg bag, Inflation 11%, no jobs, more taxes, reserves depleted, one fire tender 1 million dollars, introducing bills not requested for by the people, buying expensive jets whilst people are starving. And by the way the American Ambassador did not push any gay rights, he was just shocked with the harsh sentence compared to other crimes in Zambia. Please don’t demonise the man, stop parading idle minds on ZNBC to condemn the man. Sort out the economic and governance mess you have created in the country which is very visible everywhere. If this is not failure what is it? Incompetence? No vision? Vandalism?
#2 Kapembwa, to demonstrate my agreement I repeat part of your contribution: “And by the way the American Ambassador did not push any gay rights, he was just shocked with the harsh sentence compared to other crimes in Zambia. Please don’t demonise the man, stop parading idle minds on ZNBC to condemn the man. Sort out the economic and governance mess you have created in the country which is very visible everywhere. If this is not failure what is it? Incompetence? No vision? Vandalism?”
The way I see it, government should start negotiating more debt with EXIMBank of India to compensate Vedanta!KCM for damages….heavy damages.
There’s need for an interim audit of the activities of the liquidator, we want a statement on the alleged asset stripping going on at KCM. Can the Mines Safety Department address the legal issues that Peter Ganjaman Sinkamba raised? The PF has shown us that they’re a Govt on lunatic kleptomaniacs
JUST CONTINUE CELEBRATING KAILI,WE ADVISED BUT YOU CALLED US NAMES.
WHO ARE GETTING CONTRACTS FROM KCM NOW?
WHO IS WEAKER LEGALLY ZCCM IH OR VEDANTA?