Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe has described as a mess the current financial and operational challenges at Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- on the Copperbelt.

By Tamara Muswala

Mines Minister PAUL KABUSWE has described as a mess the current financial and operational challenges at Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- on the Copperbelt.

Mr. KABUSWE says the politicisation of KCM by the PF government went overboard.

The mines minister said KCM almost became a political party after liquidation.

He said this in Chingola today on his first visit to the mine as Minister.

Mr. KABUSWE said the new dawn administration under the UPND wants to bring sanity and professionalism to the mining sector especially KCM.

He said the focus from the UPND is for every Zambian to have a feel of the benefits of the country’s Mineral wealth.

The minister further urged management at KCM to clean up the commercial department which he said is compromised.

He said his visit to KCM is to understand how ugly the situation is at the mining giant.

Mr. KABUSWE said the future of KCM was still bright because just Konkola Deep mine in Chililabombwe currently sat on about 98 million tons of copper ore which can last for another 60 years.

And KCM Chief Executive Officer CHRISTOPHER SHEPPARD said management at the mine would give full support to government.

Mr. SHEPPARD said the management at the mine had a dream that one day a new investor would recapitalize the mine and bring it to full life.