Wed, 21 Feb 2018 13:03:00 +0000
By CHINTU MALAMBO
COLLUM coal mining industries limited has dragged four Sinanzongwe area village headmen to the Lusaka High Court for allegedly inciting two community cooperatives and an individual to carry out illegal mining activities.
The mining company has also sued Councilor for Nkandabwe in Sinazongwe, council Chairman and Council Secretary for authorizing the said illegal activity.
The mining company claimed that it had lost over K50, 000 from the illegal mining.
In a statement of claim filed in court, the mining company claimed that it holds a large scale mining licence issued to it by the ministry of mines and mineral development.
The mining company alleged that on November 10th 2017, it discovered that Sisya multipurpose cooperative society, Chamukwapulo multipurpose cooperative and Mr Every Ng’andu were involved in illegal mining of coal in the area covered by its mining license.
It further claimed that the village headmen incited and advised the plaintiffs to continue mining illegally.
The mining company claimed that the illegal mining activities were brought to the attention of the ministry of mines who ordered a stop to the illegal mining activities as it was a hazard to the environment.
“At trial we will say that the acts of continuing to illegally mine in our licensed area were brought to the attention of the ministry of Mines who inspected the area and ordered that the illegal mining should be stopped as it was hazardous to both the environment and lives of those involved, ” read the claim.
The mining company claimed that it was as risk of having its license canceled for breach of a condition.
Further that it will not obtain a return on its investment as the defendants continue to mine and sell coal without paying license fees and taxes to the government.
And now the mine wants an order of injunction restraining the defendants from carrying on illegal mining.
Further damages for loss of income resulting from illegal mining and sale of coal by the defendants, interest and any other reliefs the court may deem fit.
