President Edgar Lungu has disclosed that Zambians have the capacity to run the country’s mining industry in an effective and efficient manner that can even grow the sector.
Speaking when he addressed Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) workers at the mine plant in Chililabombwe today, Mr. Lungu expressed happiness that the mine had increased production while under liquidation.
The President said the fact that KCM had recorded growth while in liquidation entails that Zambians have the capacity and skills to run the mining sector.
“We are proud of the way the mine has been run efficiently and effectively. It shows that we have the capacity and skills to run the mines,” he said.
Mr. Lungu further said it was government’s desire to see a number of mines run by indigenous people unlike the prevailing situation where all the mines are foreign owned.
He observed that the mining sector has a lot of indigenous people that are highly skilled to positively contribute to the development of the industry.
The Head of State has since called on the mine management and the trade union movement to work together with government to ensure the sector is further developed.
And Mines Minister Richard Musukwa said President Lungu and his administration have the interest of the workers at heart hence the resolve to ensure that they are protected.
Mr. Musukwa, who is also Chililabombwe Member of Parliament, said government would continue to ensure that the interests of the miners are protected.
Meanwhile, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Joseph Chewe thanked the government for standing with KCM miners when the mining firm was going through turbulent times and uncertainty that led to its liquidation.
Mr. Chewe pledged the miners’ support to the Patriotic Front (PF) administration as it had taken interest in the welfare of the workers at the hands of Vedanta Resources, the Indian owned mining giant that owned KCM.
And KCM employees’ representative, a Mr. Lubasha, said the workers are happy with the manner the mines have been run by the provisional liquidator who has managed to pay redundancy packages to the affected miners.
Mr. Lubasha said the uncertainty and worries that gripped the mining community following the liquidation of KCM are a thing of the past now.
“Today we can walk with our heads high because the demon that was associated with the word liquidation has been exorcised. Any mention of the word liquidation sent shivers in our bones but now we can mention it freely,” he said.
KCM was placed under liquidation in May 2019.
Our mining sector will be revived
Every time I see my president or hear him speak, I just feel ichimwela.
I agree with you sir. Zambian minerals for zambians. These resources and the land they are found in belong to us zambians. A zambian cannot just go to the western world and start owning natural resources. Pf is a party built on uplifting our people. That is what we will continue to do. If you don’t like it, you can pack your bags and move to diaspora
Thelis no vote
Truth be told, the Mines in Zambia have been in private hands for well over 20 years and they have nothing to show for compared to the previous 20 years they were in Zambian hands. The President has a point and needs to be supported from all parties, including those led by serial government property auctioneers.
Twenty years is a long time. The 20 years the mines were in UNIP’s hands and so Zambia’s hands from 1970 to 1990, there is a lot we can point to. Show me what we can’t point for mines being in preivate hands from 1996 to 2020. ZERO.
I’m MMD chief Bootlicker and I support and endorse the move to grab the mines
PF cabinet
America
???
Sir you dont inspire me…!
Honeybee hangover
“We are proud of the way the mine has been run efficiently and effectively. It shows that we have the capacity and skills to run the mines,” La7y said.
Does this bum know what the words efficiency and effectively stand for …how would he know when Ministry of Health is in total shambles where defective lifesaving products are distributed to his own people and he is not doing anything…when $17 million of taxpayers funds just disappeared in thin air…how can a leader worth his sort stand there and use such words?
Shame on you La7y Lungu!!!!
We are tired of same old story during Election and Campaign time. This one is the ultimate disappointment. I had high hopes and loved him dearly when I voted for him. Now I loathe him and can’t stand his sight. The corruption, poor economy, increased Cadre thuggery and stealing we are experiencing is unprecedented. Even 8 months is too long for these guys. Can we just vote next week
Bushman Panda mulekwata amano
David don’t just say that let’s debate. I have stated poor economic performance, corruption like honeybee, police shootings, Cadre behavior. Enough is enough. Your turn
*his salt
This is the only positive card lungu has , he has destroyed everything else……
Lungu , I agree with you on principle of Zambians running mines , but I fail to understand how they will sucssed to flourish in an economy you have destroyed, with the local currency close to junk money….
Rubbish ?
He is a check on the desperation of a despot …
At the beginning of his term, did he outline indginous ownership of minerals or is only doing so as a last resort after destroying and failing everything else. .?????
What we know is lungu was happy with forigne ownership when he took over a strong economy……it only now he is pushing nationalisation after he has destroyed everything else…..
Sorry lungu , we are not duped that easy…
This nationalisation card is a desperate last resort.
That’s our hope and prayer that one day Zambians must run those mines
At the beginning of his term, did he outline indginous ownership of minerals or is only doing so as a last resort after destroying and failing everything else. .?????
What we know is lungu was happy with forigne ownership when he took over a strong economy……it only now he is pushing nationalisation after he has destroyed everything else…..
This nationalisation card is a desperate last resort.
At the beginning of his term, did he outline indginous ownership of minerals or is only doing so as a last resort after destroying and failing everything else. .?????
What we know is lungu was happy with forigne ownership when he took over a strong economy……it only now he is pushing nationalisation after he has destroyed everything else…..
This nationalisation card is a desperate last resort.
This nigger has no heart for mother zambia.Always kulya mwibala.
BA LUNGU HAS NO SHAME AND DOES NOT REASON WELL. WHY DOES HE REFUSE ONE TO USE PUBLIC STATION WHICH IS PAYED AND MAINTAINED BY TAX- PAYERS?
ALL ROADS, AIRPORTS AND STATIONS ARE FOR ZAMBIANS AND THERE IS NO ONE ABOVE THE LAW. MUKASHALA NENSONI ILYO MUKASHA ICHIPUNA IN FACT ZAMBIANS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS KIND OF IMPOSED LEADERSHIP. THIS IS NOT THE WAY A LEADER IS SUPPOSED TO BE. NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER DONE SUCH A THING IN ZAMBIA FROM CHILUBA TO LATE SATA’S TIME.
LT should be called lungu times
Why are you blocking lungu critics?
From what we know lungu was happy with foreign ownership of mines when he inherited a booming economy, now he has destroyed everything, the nationalisation card is a last resort and well rehurst trick by despots
Its about time too much exploitation from these foreign investors
Mr President we assure you of our vote on the copperbelt, Chililabombwe, Kitwe , chingola and Napundwe and the community.
We really want to thank our President continue siding with the investor UPND, YOU WILL SEE IF OUR VOTE, You will cry.
At the beginning of his term, did he outline indginous ownership of minerals or is only doing so as a last resort after destroying and failing everything else. .?????
What we know is lungu was happy with forigne ownership when he took over a strong economy……it only now he is pushing nationalisation after he has destroyed everything else…..
This nationalisation card is a desperate last resort.
We are failing to supply safe Condoms, how can you run a Mine which requires all the safety machanisms?
We have capable minds ready to run the mines
But not with this government as everything they touch always ends up sour
I think he means himself owning the mines, together with the cartel.
We have seen what has happened to Mukula, gold and cannabis trade. Only the cartel are allowed to trade in it.
We have seen in the USA how desperate dictators can become. The same will happen here.
Winds of change are purging evil corrupt leaders.
Indigo wind of change but you losing by elections to us. You are a retarded baboon. If I should just give you dirty slaps
I refer to the MOH, they can’t even manage a records management system. We’re in trouble
What exactly is stopping Zambians from running the mines? Absolutely nothing! We just need to quit the mediocrity as citizen of Zambia.
Is it any wonder that politicians who profess their Christian faith lie even when they swear by the Bible in court to state the facts as they ought to yet commit perjury while others loot state funds funnelling it into offshore accounts?
Not Sudanese hands?
That’s La7y Lungu for you he reads a mere speech and foooools are clapping, next week he will be reading about how we should diversify from mining …you would think he is standing for the first time. Meanwhile he runsacking KCM which will never declare a profit.
Kaizer, prepare to take over. It is your time.
Why can you not give them the gold mine in Mwinilunga which you prefer foreigners from Sudan for a song? Answer this question and your motives will be clear or must I say uli CHINKULA?
Who have you given the gold mine – we want to know which Zambian and government support that has been provided. Twebeni mukwai!
Mines require recapitalization and a good strategy. Let the government facility the loan for a management buy out and Zambians can run it.
TRYING TO GET THE MINES SO THAT THEY CAN STEAL MORE !!! THIS IS NOT GOOD – THIS WILL CHASE ALL INVESTORS OUT OF ZAMBIA!
Thelis no vote.
Too late for such rhetoric
Says the man who brought Sudanese to mine our gold.Nothing he says makes sense
our mining sector will get better
zambians are capable
you are very right your excellency
yes we can
But the gold mines to the Sudanese. What inconsistency!
yes we can
you are right mr President
we are capable
U are right
@MMD CHIEF BOOTLICKER
How about the increased copper production from 250,000 to nearly 800,000 tonnes?
How about the windfall tax Levy and Magande imposed on the mines to boost Zambia’s reserves?
How about the $5 billion investment in the minds over the last 20 years, money which ZCCM could never have had?
In 1986, Francis Kaunda announced that Zambia could only mine profitably for just another 15 years. The private investment that has gone into the mines has not only extended the lifespan but has also opened new mines. Let us not talk from ignorance. What we need is a fair TAX regime. We need THINKERS at ZRA and Finance ministry who can devise a tax regime that will be win win for all.
If that were true, why did you partner with the Sudanese on the Gold mine instead of Zambians? Pressure yama election mwayebako ukusabayila.
Since when are we thinking like this when recently Zambians were up in arms demanding to be given chance to mine gold. This government gave us a deaf ear and gave the mine to Sudanese. Now BOZ can even boast that they are now buying gold – buying our gold from the Sudanese and people are clapping!!
ONLY A FOOL CAN BELIEVE LUNGU