Fri, 18 Aug 2017 10:42:53 +0000
By Bennie Mundando
THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has remained defiant against a High Court order stopping it from restricting power supply to the mines, leaving Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) closed for a week and putting thousands of jobs on the line.
This follows a stand-off between the power utility company and the mining firms over its upward adjustment of electricity tariffs which has been described as illegal by the mines which obtained an injunction against CEC.
CEC has continued to restrict power supply to MCM, First Quantum (FQM’s) Kalumbila and Kansanshi mines as it has maintained that the companies will only be supplied with electricity commensurate with what they were paying since they had declared a dispute with the new tariffs.
MCM public relations manager Nerbet Mulenga confirmed to the Daily Nation last night that the situation had remained the same, leaving the mining giant’s operations grounded for one week.
“We will give an update if there will be any change and as things stand, the situation has remained the same,” Mr. Mulenga said.
So far, Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) has sent its workers home after its power supply was reduced from 190 megawatts to a meagre 94 megawatts while Kansanshi mine is only getting 153 megawatts from its previous allocation of 187.
First Quantum (FQM’s) Kalumbila mine is also facing the same predicament as its power allocation has been reduced from 155 megawatts to 110 megawatts.
Two days ago, Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) called for level-headedness among stakeholders in ending the impasse to prevent a repeat of the 2014 mass job losses from repeating itself due to their carelessness as jobs and national revenue collection were at stake.
MUZ president Chishimba Nkole said he expected a permanent solution to be found over the current stand-off before the mining company lays off workers, adding that all stakeholders stood to lose if the situation was left to go to extremes,” Mr. Nkole said.
