GOLD DEAL STRUCK

…as Rufunsa gold miners agree to put pen to paper with ZCCM-IH

GOLD mining cooperatives in Rufunsa have finally agreed to sign an agreement with ZCCM-IH following a fruitful meeting with the latter, says Chimwetu Gold Mining Cooperative chairman, Emmanuel Tembo.

Mr Tembo said that the four cooperatives - Pokela, Chimwetu, Kamandu and Chipeketi - had agreed to work with ZCCM- IH as an agent of Government.

He was commenting on calls by Euronext Minority Shareholders of ZCCM-IH for the revocation of their mining licences. He said that the call was misplaced as the parties had already resolved the matter and had decided to move on.

Mr. Tembo said the cooperatives were law abiding and were equally concerned that if they did not deal with ZCCM-IH the country would lose out on revenue. He was thankful the government had crafted a relationship between ZCCM-IH and as such the cooperatives would always respect that stand.

Mr. Tembo said the cooperatives had initially refused to sign the proposed agreement and were trading with private buyers.

He disclosed that the cooperatives had since rescinded their decision following a meeting with the ministries of Mines and Mineral Development, Commerce and

and ZCCM-IH.

Mr. Tembo said that the meeting which took place in Rufunsa last Friday was a success and that the parties went through all the clauses in the proposed agreement and agreed to adjust the clauses after the consultative meeting.

He disclosed that the parties agreed to have the agreement reprinted so that the cooperatives and ZCCM-IH could sign.

He revealed that the signing date was set for December 17 in Rufunsa.

Mr. Tembo said that the most contentious issue about the ownership of the gold mining equipment was also clarified and the cooperatives were happy. He said that the equipment would belong to the government, but would be administered by ZCCM-IH.

And Pokela Gold Mining Cooperative vice chairman, Josias Malunga, welcomed the decision by ZCCM-IH to reprint the agreement after the concerns were addressed. He said that the cooperatives were not being antagonistic, but were seeking clarity and as such had the right to be heard.

Earlier, Euronext Minority Shareholders of ZCCM-IH called on the government to revoke the licenCes of what it termed as blackmailers.

In a press statement made available to the Daily Nation, a representative of Euronext Minority Shareholders of ZCCM-IH, Thierry Charles stated that government had given a mandate to ZCCM-IH to coordinate efforts to purchase the gold from artisanal miners and to also coordinate the gold trading business in Zambia. He said that the government had also mandated ZCCM-IH to establish gold trading centres which gave the Artisanal Gold Miners an opportunity to sell their gold at a competitive price.