CURB MINERAL LOOTING – AFRINETLOOT

…MAURICE MALAMBO SAYS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FOUND ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL MINING OF PRECIOUS MINERAL SHOULD BE MADE TO ACCOUNT

BY NATION REPORTER 

THE Inter-Africa Governance Network (AFRINET) has urged government to curtail the looting of mineral through illegal mining happening across the country and bring to book all those engaged in the illegality regardless of their status so that legitimate investment of both local and foreign entrepreneurs could thrive. 

AFRINET executive director Maurice Malambo said the gross irresponsibility was an indictment that a country encumbered with unsustainable debt and high poverty levels was having its high value national mineral wealth such as Sugilite, Gold, Manganese and other precious metals looted by few selfish citizens in connivance with foreigners. 

He said if the criminality was not nipped in the bud, posterity would judge Zambians harshly, stating that such illegalities should attract public disapproval and anger from the general citizenry.

And Mr Malambo said AFRINET has welcomed government’s decision to bring back Vedanta Resources to return to Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) with its 80 percent majority shareholding.

He said the return of Vedanta was likely to curtail the illegal at KCM and Kasenseli Gold Mine and some other parts of the country.

He said AFRINET was pleased that government was almost concluding the legal process of picking a suitable investor for Mopani Copper Mine, Kasenseli Gold Mine and the out of Court settlement with Vedanta Resources Limited over Konkola Copper Mine.

“All processes are envisaged to be brought to a logical finality by July 31, 2023, Once again, AFRINET commends both government and Vedanta Resources Limited for their commitment to bring KCM to full-fledged production,” Mr Malambo said.

Mr Malambo said he was of the firm belief that Vedanta Resources Limited would realise its commitment to capitalise its investment to the tune of US $1 billion over a time stretch of one year.

He hoped that Vedanta was going to honour the pledge to sustain a labour force of 10,000 direct jobs and additional indirect jobs in terms of contractors and suppliers and further implement its planned annual expenditure of US$20 million in Corporate Social Responsibility. 

Mr Malambo said should the investments come to full realization, it would change the local economic complexion of the Copperbelt Province, Nampundwe in Central Province, North-Western Province and the national treasury.

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