KCM ops cheer MUZ
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM)’s operations have improved under the Provisional Liquidator Milingo Lungu than it was under Vedanta Resources, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe has said.
Mr Chewe said there had been a marked improvement in operations and an increase in production compared to the time when Vedanta Resources was running the giant mining company in Chingola and Chililabombwe.
The MUZ President was speaking in an interview at the weekend.
"If we had problems with the provisional liquidator, we would have blown the whistle a long time ago, but we think KCM is much better now
under him that it was under Vedanta Resources. Even production has increased now.
"Our interest is to ensure that the mine is running and our members are working and getting paid on time. When we have challenges, we dialogue and resolve issues in a win-win situation,'' Mr Chewe said.
And when asked about the huge amount of money which KCM owe the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC),
Mr Chewe said he was hopeful that the two parties would find a better way of resolving the matter. "Yes, those are some of the challenges the mine is facing and we are hopeful that they will be resolved. As a union, we are hoping that
various challenges the mines are facing will be resolved,'' he said.
And the Provisional Liquidator said the tour by Ministers last week had given the Government an insight of the mine operations and challenges.
The delegation of ministers included Mines Minister Richard Musukwa,
Labour Minister Joyce Simukoko, Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe and Community Development Minister Kampamba Mulenga, who were led by
Bwalya Ng’andu from Finance.
Mr Lungu said he had received support from trade union leaders and the workers at the giant mining company.
"Unlike what I thought that there could be asset stripping and other things which could have negatively affected the operations of the mine, I have received a lot of support from the miners and union leaders.