Lungu wants mining woes resolved collectively.

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called for enhanced cooperation between Government and the players in the mining sector.

Mr Lungu said it was vital for the Government and the players in the industry to work together and improve the working conditions of miners.

He said Government would support any initiative by the mine unions aimed at improving the working and living standards of the mine workers.

The President said this at the State House in Lusaka yesterday when officials from the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) paid a courtesy call on him.

“As Government we are going to make sure that we support you in your efforts to improve the lives of miners, because we share and serve some constituencies, your members are also our members, they are voters and we need to serve their interest and we will support you,” he said.

President Lungu encouraged the union leaders to also engage relevant Ministries on specific issues that were affecting the industry.

He explained that due to the coronavirus pandemic and other economic challenges, the mining sector was among the industries that had been hit hard hence the need for collaborative efforts from Government and the interest groups to find a lasting solution to the problems.

“There are a lot of issues that I may have and which you may also have so it is important that we meet regularly especially during these critical times when the situation is very difficult on account of the COVID-19.

“The issues you have raised, some of them have been tabled before me, in future ensure that the Ministry of Mines who are your partners are brought closer to you so that certain things are interrogated immediately with relevant Ministries and those that require consultations we shall consult other interest groups,” he explained.

Earlier, MUZ president Joseph Chewe praised President Lungu for the decision he took concerning Konkola Copper Mopani

(KCM) and Chambishi Metals.

Mr Chewe noted that the decision which the Head of State took played a critical role in saving the mining sector in the country from collapsing.

“Your Excellency we want to thank for your intervention in the KCM, Mopani and Chambishi issues without your interventions, the sector in the country would have grounded to a halt and all the blame would have been heaped on you, but the decision you made is unprecedented and will be appreciated even by the future generations, “he stressed. - ZANIS

Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATE HOUSE. President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in a meeting with the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe, National Union of Mines Allied workers Union Mames Chansa and union officials who called on him at State House yesterday. The meeting was also attended by Mines Minister Richard Musukwa and other Government officials.