GOOD NEWS FOR CHILOBE TUNGSTEN MINE

By Justine Akakulubelwa:

Southern Province Minister, Cornelius Mweetwa, says government will formalize the mining activities at Chilobe Tungsten Mine, in Zimba district.

Mr. Mweetwa says though it is the desire of the government to ensure that the citizenry benefit from the mineral resources,  mining activities need to be done in compliance with the law.

He says by formalizing the mining activities at Chilobe mine, the government will not only empower locals but will also benefit in terms of taxes.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mweetwa has expressed concern over reports that two named buyers have monopolized the buying of tungsten in the area.

Mr. Mweetwa has warned that the government will tolerate investors or any business person to torment Zambians.

He has advised the miners to form cooperatives in order to enhance their bargaining power so that the minerals are sold at acceptable prices.

Mine Chairperson, Chriswell Dduku, has told the provincial minister, that the miners are being tortured and forced to sell their hard earned tungsten at give way prices of between seventy and seventy-five Kwacha per tin.

Mr. Dduku said that those who opt to seek other markets where to sell the minerals, are beaten and handcuffed by guards employed by the two buyers, of foreign origin.

And in response, the Southern Province Minister promised that the government will intervene and that he will also engage the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises to help the miners.

ROBERTOCTOBER 24, 2021023100