Zambian miners call for Govt aid to stabilize Copperbelt mining industry
The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has expressed concern over the desperate situation at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) in Zambia, stating that both mines are relying on imports to survive.
According to NUMAW National President Saul Simujika, KCM is only staying afloat through the importation of copper ore and concentrate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because it is failing to meet in-house production targets.
KCM was taken over by the government through a liquidation process after a dispute with its former owner, Vedanta, over its relations with key stakeholders and allegations of tax evasion.
Earlier, the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) had expressed shock at KCM’s denial of its statement that the mine was not meeting its production targets and planning requirements.
Three unions, including MUZ, NUMAW, and United Mine Workers of Zambia (UMUZ), had issued a joint statement claiming that employees of KCM’s subsidiaries, Konkola Mineral Resources Limited and KCM SmelterCo Limited, were reporting to work without assigned tasks.
Simujika reiterated that there is no serious mining activity taking place at KCM and that the mine is solely surviving on concentrates from DRC and other regions. He appealed to the government to intervene and stabilize the mining industry on the Copperbelt to revive the region’s economy.
The delay in finding a lasting solution for both KCM and MCM has caused desperation among suppliers and union officials, who are aware of Vedanta’s previous indiscretions. Some are now calling for Vedanta’s return to KCM and Glencore’s return to MCM.
The government’s failure to develop short, medium, and long-term plans for the two mines, which have a potential annual production of 500,000 tonnes, has paralyzed businesses across the Copperbelt. The two mines are located in Kitwe, Mufulira, Chingola, and Chililabombwe.
