Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Honourable Richard Musukwa has said that allegations that he has given Mopani a go-ahead to move their Forward Purchase Agreement (FPA) to South are false and should be ignored by all well-meaning Zambians.
The Minister said that procuring of contracts and supply remains in Kitwe and Mufulira where Mopani operates contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media.
Mr Musukwa said that Government’s main focus now is to ensure Mopani remains viable following issues surrounding care and maintenance, adding that he will not be distracted by people hoping to gain political Mileage.
“I have not received any brown envelopes from foreign Nationals and my Permanent Secretary has not received any brown envelope from Mr Sakanya(Acting Mopani Chief Executive Officer)”.
Mr Musukwa further added that he has been advocating for contracts to be given to indigenous Zambians and that Government will always stand with Suppliers and Contractors.
“We are doing everything possible to resolve issues at Mopani in the interest of our people,” he adds.
Mr Musukwa was reacting to an article circulating on social media suggesting that he has given Mopani a go ahead to move their Forward Purchase Agreement to South, allegations he says are highly misleading and should be ignored.
Meanwhile, Mr Musukwa has announced that government through the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine Investment Holding (ZCCM-IH) is working round the clock in ensuring that Kansenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga district of North Western Province becomes operational.
Hon Musukwa told journalists in Solwezi earlier yesterday that government will not entertain any illegal mining activities in the area.
He said for a long time, a few individuals have been benefiting from the mineral resource at the expense of the people and country at large.
“And as I speak, ZCCM-IH has already started mining gold from the area,” he said.
He stated that government wants to ensure that Gold as a natural resource contributes to the economic trajectory of the country.
Over the Kalengwa Mine in Mufumbwe, Hon Musukwa disclosed that a mining licence will soon be issued to a suitable mining investor.
He revealed that various firms applied for mining licences and that the selection process has been completed.
It does not matter much even if you move that office…..all goods come from SA anyway, providing jobs for South Africans ……….while buying and selling jobs to the mines is for a few PF rats…
I have never heard a PF minister accepting a blame. They live in a denial, accusation and counter-accusation erra in their new normal.
PF must go!
Fake news spread by evil upnd and the slaves in diaspora
Zambian suppliers tend to price themselves out of business because of unreasonable mark ups, and bribes paid to procurement officers. South African suppliers don’t endure such malpractices, in addition, they have volume of sales in their favour. Mining is struggling to survive, hence, sourcing from a cheaper source is imperative for survival. This being so, sourcing within Zambia is a no go area/option!
Hope the so called investors for Kalengwa and that gold mine won’t start ducking and diving when it comes to paying tax.
This is another of Lungu’s dull inept minister…what you should be talking about is policies it doesn’t matter whether they move to London we all know they get their products from RSA and those that can be obtained locally contracts are shared among PF officials like Fossil Chikwanda, cadres and Union officials.