Friday, March 29, 2024

Government to give 30% shares in Black mountain to youths – Mines PS

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Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary, Barnaby Mulenga says government may consider giving out its 30 per cent shares in the black mountain to the youths in Kitwe following the High Court Judgement that allowed it to pull out of its partnership with Nkana Alloy and Smelting Company Limited.

Following the court judgement last week, government remained with 30 per cent share in the black mountain after it gave out its 10 per cent to youths three years ago.

Speaking in an interview in Kitwe yesterday in response to calls by youths engaged in small scale mining asking government to hand over the shares to them, Mr. Mulenga said his Ministry will next week issue a statement on how it will manage the 30 per cent shares.

“We will issue a statement on the matter next week and giving the facility to the youths is one of the options,” Mr. Mulenga said.

Earlier, Chapamo Mineral Resources Director, Kelvin Tembo appealed to government to once again give the youths part of its stake in the black mountain to cushion the youths from the adverse effects of COVID-19.

Mr. Tembo said youths needs some form of empowerment adding that offering them part of the black mountain to exploit mineral resources would be the best empowerment at the moment.

“Our expectation is that we get some more shares , as youths we need a cushioning from the effects of COVID-19 ,as you know these effects are so immense on the youths, so we expect government will give us some more shares since we have a listening and caring government,” he said.

And Mr. Tembo said if given the opportunity to mine from the black mountain again, the youths will ensure that safety measures are put in place to avoid any form of accident.

He noted that the accidents that happened the last time youths were given an opportunity to mine from the black mountain were as a result of lack of experience which cannot occur this time around.

“Accidents were bound to happen because at that time the mining operations were in their infancy but now we have learnt quiet a lot and we will put modalities to ensure that no accidents happen be it injuries or fatalities,” Mr. Tembo said.

Last week, the Lusaka High Court granted government a go ahead to pull out of Nkana Alloy and Smelting Company Limited and repossess 30 per cent of the black mountain.

Three years ago government gave youths in Kitwe 10 per cent of the black mountain for mining activities which has since been exhausted.

34 COMMENTS

  1. ?Wrong decision again. Who told you those people you are giving are interested in voting for you??????

  2. Which youths are these? You mean thugs who dont pay tax or make contributions to a pension scheme or have anyone on payroll…its just fooools foraging all over the place like Meerkats. This is what PF is good for promoting thuggery

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  3. Empowerment of our people formed and continues to form part of our manifesto as pf. So this is a good decision by pf government. To the upnd diasporans look how fooIish you look because the friends you left here in Zambia are now doing a lot better than you. Now even these youths will be richer than you there cleaning toilet for whlte man

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  4. Government now makes us believe they are giving away something valuable. But the black mountain is just the leftover garbage from the previous operation. Yeah, thanks guys! And it only goes to those criminal PF cadres!

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  5. KZ PF cadres are just criminal hooligans which already received massive amounts of “empowerment” from that absent no-action president of yours. By the way, where is your totally failing “leader”? Like RB, “doing very well” but nobody has seen him alive? You still think Zambians are stup!d and believe everything the government says. Well, I have news for you: they don’t and you will see the results on August 12!

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  6. No corruption that is your opinion which amounts to nothing but hot air. The majority opinion matters more than that of a disgruntled upnd supporting psycho. If you are so frustrated and tired with the developments under pf then win elections. Now, the only way you can do that is through the ballot. Failing which, continue being an angry bab00n on LT until you die of a heart attack and BP kiki. It hurts to be in opposition. Stay strong

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  7. By the way, can you agree to accept the results in August? Since you are very confident, we don’t want petitions and crying like a pregnant hippo when results are announced.

  8. By the way, can you agree to accept the results in August? Since you are very confident, we don’t want petiti0ns and crying like a pregnant hipp0 when results are announced.

  9. Our government is busy empowering our youths. Whereas HH dragging youths in his dirty politics, provoking them to fight, and they land in jail. Half of the young people are in jail only because of HH.

  10. In today’s time, President Lungu’s administration is providing several opportunities to young talent. Very soon in the coming days, there will be a 100% empowerment rate in Zambia. Amen!

  11. This is what an experienced and knowledgeable government system can do. We must appreciate the government’s efforts towards controlling the spread of the deadly virus and taking care of Zambians.

  12. UPND supporters are silent, I guess they must be embarrassed by HH’s decision of resuming the election campaign when the country is mourning over the death of #KK.

  13. President Lungu and his government are always listening and caring that is why PF is ruling Zambia for almost 9years straight!

  14. Mining is a potential sector for Zambians, as per career and growth point of view. And now, through hard work and dedication, President Lungu brought the agriculture sector to the top of the market. Slowly allow sectors will grow beautifully. #Vision2030 #ECL

  15. The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the mining sector, and our government is actively looking into the matter due to which we are suffering less.

  16. Yes the PF trolls are back, all working on the same PC via SA IP address. Hey KZ can’t you teach those amateurish cadres how to hide or change their IP??? It’s so pathetic, and that wants to win the election??? HAHAHA!!!! And KZ you are not telling why your empty boss is silent. Covid-19 I presume? And yes on August 13 we will be very happy to confirm the election outcome, and to announce the ARREST of ECL, GBM, CK, and KZ!

  17. Shameful that even a PS who is supposed to be a technocrat can also become a party cadre and start promising empowerment to the youths just so that they can be enticed to vote for the incumbent government. No wonder even technocrats are fired when government changes.

  18. THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE AN EQUIRY INTO THE SO CALLED LOOTING AND MISMANAGEMENT
    ALSO NO AMNESTY TO OFFICIALS AS IS ALWAYS CUSTOMARY IN THE PAST
    AND ALWAYS IN THE NAME OF FORGIVENESS AND PEACE
    THIS NONSENSE HAS TO STOP TO PROTECT FUTURE GENERATIONS FROM THE SAME EVIL

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