The Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has expressed worry at the announcement that the newly opened First Quantum Minerals Bwana Mkubwa mine in Ndola will close after operating for only 11 months.
MUZ president Rayford Mbulu has also expressed disappointment that Bwana Mkubwa has decided to close when metal prices on the international market are picking up.
Mr. Mbulu said the closure of the mine will have negative effects on both the workers and the infrastructure at the mine.
He was reacting to Mines Minster Maxwell Mwale’s announcement that the mine in question will close after 11 months of operations due to limited feedstock for the processing plant.
Mr. Mbulu told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that the reason for the closure of the mine would have been avoided if the mine had established local sources for their raw materials.
He said there is need for mining companies in the country to come up with local sources for their feedstock so that their mines can remain operational for many years.
He noted that the country has a lot of firms that have potential to supply mining companies with raw materials for them to continue with their production.
Mr. Mbulu noted that the closure of the mine after 11 months will have devastating effects on the welfare of workers who have no other alternative sources of income.
He said mining companies should emulate Chambeshi metals that has remained resilient in achieving its full production capacity by having constant feedstock suppliers.
He further urged the mining companies plan for long term operation employing the local people in order for them to make positive contributions to the economic growth of the country.
He has since advised management at the company to come up with stringent measures that will ensure that the infrastructure at the site is kept in good condition for the benefit of the investor and Zambians.
He has since challenged government to come up with strict policies that will discourage mines from closing after making profits.
ZANIS
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Ala ichaonaula Zambia, chalibifya. Now! since Bwanamukubwa mines opened what have the people of Zambia benefited from them apart from the monthly salaries they have been getting? NOTHING! You call these people investors? for them they have gotten what they wanted, it time to go back where they come from. They have nothing to loose, they have already told you that they cannot cotinue with production. Zambia is the only country where one infestor can come and tell you a lie saying he has come to invest in the economy and yet he has just come to make use of our people and dig out all our minearls and leave holes on the ground for us to fill, then go back with huge sums of money. Bushe ku tipwa nagu chinshi? Lesa atubeleleko uluse.
What feedsock? If the mine really wanted feedstock they could purchase it from wherever it’s available. I do not buy their story of ‘lack of feedstock’.
As usual no comments and ideas from bloggers when “real issues” are raised for discussion. typical. No wonder we are under developed. Africans seem to concern themselves with the wrong issues. Look at the fixation with Sata’s degree issue. 197 comments.People even getting emotional. Neway. back to the issue on hand.. FQM set-up that processing facility on the basis that they would be able to extract Copper ore from their Kolwezi and the otehr mine across in DRC and haul it to their facilty in Zambia. Zambia has well advanced processing capacity and Ndola has stategic logistical positioning. Moses Katumbi had banned ore export and Zambia/DRC Govt were to arrive at a bilateral solution regarding compensation. What happened? When I then hear rubbish, political answers I get annoyed..
I agree digga. The quality of debate is very low.actually pathetic. Pipo do not understand issues just look at the emotional and dull content of bloggers #2 and #3. And indeed that is one reason why we are so poor. We waste time crying and sulking bout things we dont understand and blaming government for everythig. GOD BLESS ZAMBIA
Too bad FQM for that decision. After the Lonshi deposite ran out in Congo DRC, I heared that FQM was carrying out exploration work in Kapiri area which was,if opened, potentially going to provide the Oxide-rich feed stock that Bwana is tailor made to handle, what was the outcome of that exploration? Congo still has a good number of malachite, pseudo malachite mine sources of input ores that can adequately and profitably be solvent extracted and electro-won at Bwana. Are their any impeding political issues involved? Maxwell needs to tell us more about Govt’s plans simply announcing closure for no further reason and hope is not enough and unacceptable! because lives of people are at steak here…
Digga and Positivist pa Zed, I totally agree with you, the quality of the debate is appallingly low. For some reason we seem not to understand the fundamentals of business and expect someone to give me a handout. Surely if I go and invest $5million in Malawi am I doing it because I love the people of Malawi or I want to make profit comensurate with my perrception of the overall risk….? Similarly if I invest K20million on the LUSE in Chilanga Cement shares I do it because I want to make money not because I want to bring development to the people of Chilanga…..That is what investors do….
#5 Positivist & #7 Peter thanks Gents and you are very right. You see I believe in Zambian and the ability of Zambians. If only we could just focus on the right things and channel and energies there.. I mean look at the quality contribution from #6 DM. Very impressive, analytical & informative. Ive definately learnt something- “Electro-won”.