Mopani, CEC stand-off worries unions

By ROGERS KALERO

WORKERS unions in the mining industry are concerned by the stand-off between the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) over the adjusted electricity tariffs which has resulted into the power company restricting power to the mining company.

The two mineworkers’ unions, National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) have since advised the two companies to dialogue and resolve the matter in the interest of their members, and the country’s economy.

NUMAW president James Chansa said the decision by the CEC to restrict power supply to MCM was a sad development and a source of concern for the union which has its membership at the mining company.

Mr Chansa said the two companies should dialogue over the matter and find a better way of resolving it because restricting power supply will adversely affect the operations of Mopani.

And MUZ General Secretary Joseph Chewe has also urged CEC and MCM to dialogue and exercise some flexibility so that the matter could be resolved without adversely affecting the workers and the country’s economy.

Mr Chewe said it was sad that the CEC was restricting power supply to MCM when the mining industry was just recovering from the low copper prices at the world market. “CEC has its own reasons why it is restricting power supply to MCM and MCM has its own reasons why it has refused to pay an upward adjustment to the applicable tariffs.

“So as a union, we would like to urge the two companies to dialogue and find a solution to the stand-off because the jobs of our members are on the line,” Mr Chewe said.

CEC Senior Manager Corporate Communication Chama Nsabika said CEC was saddened by the unfortunate situation and hoped that the two managements will work together to resolve this standoff.

Ms Nsabika said, in that regard, CEC would continue to engage MCM with a view to finding a negotiated solution as soon as possible.