By SANFROSSA MANYINDA
THE National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has assured Mopani Copper Mine workers whose contracts have been temporarily put on hold that no jobs will be lost.
The union has since appealed to Government to expedite negotiations of increasing ZCCM-IH shares in Mopani Copper Mine.
NUMAW president, James Chansa, said Government should ensure that the negotiations with Glencore International were concluded.
Mr Chansa was speaking to the Daily Nation in Kitwe yesterday.
In August 25 this year, ZCCM-IH through the ministry of mines expressed interest to acquire additional shares in Mopani from Glencore, mopani’s major shareholder.
ZCCM-IH, a minority shareholder in the mine submitted an expression of interest to Glencore which responded favourably.
Glencoe International has 73 per cent shares while ZCCM-IH has 16 per cent stake.
“We assure you that we will always be there to protect the interests of the workers and we are greatful to government for allowing us to be part of those sitting at the table of negotiations,” he said.
Mr Chansa called on the workers to be patient as the unions were doing all it could to safeguard their jobs.
Mopani Copper Mine attempted to place its assets on care and maintenance in March, this year citing losses the firm was record-ing due to Covid-19 but Government rejected the proposal.
‘We will save jobs’
