By ROGERS KALERO
MOPANI Copper Mines (MCM) has completed paying the third and final instalment of terminal benefits which its employees accrued when they worked under Glencore PLC,’ MCM Chief Executive Officer Charles Sakanya has said
Mr Sakanya also disclosed that the giant mining company had awarded a 10 percent salary increment to its employees following the conclusion of the negotiations with the various unions representing miners at the mine
During a press briefing at the MCM board room yesterday, Mr Sakanya said about US$19 million was paid in the first instalment, while US$15 million was paid in the second instalment after protests from the miners due to delays in the payment.
Mr Sakanya said the company finally dismantled the US$16 million as payment for the third and final instalment of terminal benefits to its employees.
“This brings the total amount of money paid as accrued benefits to the miners to US$50 million. The money paid to the miners in all the three instalments came from resources within MCM.
“The mining company embarked on paying the terminal benefits to its employees last year after Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) acquired 100 percent shares from Glencore,” Mr Sakanya said .
Mr Sakanya also said the mining company had concluded the salary negotiations with the mining unions representing the workers with a salary increment of 10 percent.
He said, following the completion of payment for terminal benefits and the concluding of salary negotiations, the management at the giant mining company would now concentrate on increasing production and taking the mine to greater heights
“I must say that, as management, we are relieved to have paid the terminal benefits and also to have concluded the salary negotiations. Now that we are done with these issues, we will now concentrate on increasing production and taking the mine to greater heights,” he said
And Ministry of Information and Media spokesperson Thabo Kawana thanked MCM for paying the accrued benefits in full, but advised miners to put the money to good use.
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