Lungu guarantees jobs at Mopani

THERE will be no job losses at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) regardless of the outcome of negotiations between Government and Glencore over shareholding structure, President Edgar Lungu has said.

President Lungu, however, said in an unlikely event of job losses, the union and management would come up with better conditions and packages for affected miners.

The President said this in Kitwe yesterday during a meeting with miners at the synclinorium concentrator in Wusakile.

Mr Lungu said Government had been actively engaging Glencore International over increasing shares in Mopani and that very soon an outcome would be communicated to the miners and the nation at large.

He said negotiations have almost been concluded, but Government was only waiting for a legal opinion from the Attorney General.

''We have been talking to Glencore and I am happy that very shortly the conclusion will be reached and we will open a new page. We are now waiting for a legal opinion from the Attorney General.

"My job is to give you hope to continue working hard and I can assure you that there will be no job losses. If there are such eventualities, then the union and management will negotiate such eventualities,'' President Lungu said.

President Lungu urged the unions, management and the miners to work together to stabilise the mining industry and take it to greater heights.

He urged the unions to encourage their members to persevere during difficult times because it was always darkest before dawn.

And Mopani acting Chief Executive Officer, Charles Sakanya, said the mine was running in every department and was hoping for better performance this year.

And President Edgar Lungu says government has concluded talks with Glencore regarding its desire to acquire shares in Mopani Copper Mine.

President Lungu said the conclusion of talks will bring certainty to the workers and industry.

He said government will next week sign an agreement with Glencore, following the conclusion of the talks.

President Lungu said Mines Minister Richard Musukwa will issue a comprehensive statement on the details of the agreement.