RUFUNSA GOLD MINING KIT LYING IDLE

FOUR gold mining cooperatives in Rufunsa have not yet accessed the mining equipment which Government procured even after signing an agreement with ZCCMIH.

Chimwetu Gold Mining Cooperative chairman, Emmanuel Tembo, confirmed this to the Daily Nation in an interview yesterday.

He said that the mining equipment was at the District Commissioner’s office.

Mr Tembo said that the four cooperatives finally agreed to the terms after a series of discussions with ZCCM-IH, but had not yet accessed the equipment after the signing of the agreement in December last year.

He said that the equipment was kept at the DCs office on condition that it would only be released after the agreement with ZCCM-IH was signed.

He was however disappointed that none of the cooperatives had accessed the equipment.

Mr Tembo said that members were concerned that ZCCM-IH had not even brought back the signed agreement for the cooperatives to present to the District Commissioner.

He pointed out that the District Commissioner cannot release the equipment without proof of the signed agreement and a go ahead from ZCCMIH.

Mr Tembo revealed that the cooperatives were not mining and therefore could not even trade with ZCCM-IH because they had no gold to sell.

He said that the only trade that was going on in Rufunsa was between illegal gold miners and private buyers.

Mr. Tembo said the cooperatives were confident that the relationship with ZCCM-IH would yield the expected results.

He noted that following the signing of the agreement, the cooperatives would only trade with ZCCM-IH which was offering a better price for the gold than private buyers.

He appealed to ZCCM-IH to ensure that the copies of the agreement were brought back for the cooperatives to present to the District Commissioner and eventually collect the equipment.

And Pokela Gold Mining Cooperative chairman, Josias Malunga, observed that the delay in handing over the equipment was not in the best interest of both parties.

Meanwhile, ZCCM-IH public relations Manager, Louisa Kakoma, refused to comment as she was not in the office by press time.