Government says it is urgently working around the clock to ensure that the KCM and Mopani Copper Mines issues are resolved as urgently as possible.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe says discussions with the necessary stakeholders to find an amicable solution are already underway.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka today, where he refuted recent media reports suggesting that he is about give a final statement regarding the two mining firms , Mr. Kabuswe said it is too early to state a final position.
“As to how the talks have progressed, I think it will be unfair on both ZCCM-IH, who is ourselves as Government and also Vedanta to prematurely bring out anything when the talks have not reached a level where we can tell the nation where we are,” he said.
Government is eager to see to it that the two mines contribute towards the three million metric tonnes of copper target that has been set for the next decade.
Mr Kabuswe said the two mines need to deliver optimal production levels.
The Minister of Mines and Minerals Development said government is working closely with management for both mines to ensure that no worker loses employment.
And the Minister dismissed reports that Reliant Mining, a contractor at KCM will soon halt operations.
Mr Kabuswe said it is not true that the firm will prune all the workers and shutdown..
“It is an unfounded rumour, the truth of the matter is that reliant, is still a contractor at KCM and their contract has actually been extended,” he said.
Mopani Copper Mines is currently on care and maintenance while KCM is in liquidation.
President Hakainde Hichilema has previously pledged that his administration will resolve the impasse regarding the two mines.
This dull minister gives a media briefing refutes rumours reports but states nothing…this is bad Public relations handling.
He keeps on saying soon but how soon soon is we don’t know. It’s almost the end of the year and he keeps repeating the same thing. I think he enjoys media coverage. We’ll remind you after Christmas if soon doesn’t become soon.
No sooner had UPND gained power than they coined the soon word. It became their darling.
1. Mines impasse, it will soon be a bygone.
2. To build new petroleum pipeline from both Angola and Tanzania, soon
3. Provide agricultural inputs, soon.
4. Fertiliser prices to come down? Soon.
5. FRA, pay farmers for the maize sold. Soon.
6. Pay those that conducted census exercise, soon.
7. Arrest gassers? We will soon.
8. Soon our creditors will sit for our debt restructuring.
9. Soon, we will sell the presidential jet, but first we arrest the people who bought the same plane.
9. Soon, all commodity prices will come down, but they must go up first.
10. We will soon appoint the two top ECZ commissioners, but first Esau must be joined to Emmily’s court case. How, when the gentleman…
…. How, when the gentleman doesn’t want to sue government?
Soon, the soon will be no more than later and no less than lies.