FQM’s Kalumbila, Kansanshi maintain ops …despite covid-19

FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has put in place stringent measures to ensure there is no disruption of mining operations at its Kansanshi and Kalumbila mines during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FQM Government affairs specialist, Godwin Beene, said the mining firm has come up with strict preventive measures to fend off the virus and ensure that the two mines continue production.

Dr Beene said the mining firm has a capital project going on which was meant to rump up production and can therefore, not afford to shut down its operations.

“We have put in place stringent measures both at management and individual level that will see us fend off the virus and keep the two mines in operation. We have a capital project going on which will rump up production, so we are not shutting down operations,” he said.

Dr Beene was speaking during the introduction of the new General Manager for Kalumbila Minerals limited Sean

Egner to Northwestern province minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu in Solwezi.

And FQM country manager, Kingsley

Chinkuli, said FQM’s operations in Zambia were steady, efficient and productive despite the negative impact that the COVID-19.

General Chinkuli said despite the threats of the COVID-19, the mining firm took a bold decision of keeping operations open as closing the mines would have had a devastating impact on the country’s economy.

Gen Chinkuli said the two mines did not record any job losses or COVID deaths that could be attributed to the negligence of management.

Meanwhile, Mr Mubukwanu urged the mining firm to consider reviewing the scope of participation by local entrepreneurs in the life of the mine.

Mr Mubukwanu said it was the desire of government to see increased participation of local entrepreneurs as contractors since not everyone can be brought on board as formal employees.

He said this will help reduce the unemployment levels especially among young people in the region.

And Mr Egner pledged continued collaboration between his management team and government, saying the success of the mine hinges on sound relationship for the benefit of all stakeholders.

NOUAKCHOTT - A former president of Mauritania has been charged with corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth.

Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz who held office from 2008 to 2019 spent Tuesday night and Wednesday in custody at the national security headquarters were he was interrogated in the corruption case.

Prosecutors have asked for Ould Abdelaziz to be placed under court supervision until further investigations are complete and a court hearing is decided, local media report.

Former officials who served under Ould Abdelaziz were also charged with various offences in the same case.

The former president denies any wrongdoing and says the accusations against him are “politically motivated.”

He had refused to sign the minutes of his interrogation by the anti-corruption officers.

It all started when a parliamentary commission investigating mismanagement of state funds during Ould Abdelaiz’s time in office submitted its report to the ministry of justice. Ould Abdelaziz has refused to answer questions so far, and says that as a former president the constitution grants him immunity from prosecution.