By SHERRY CHABALA
AMBIA Must Prosper (ZMP) president, Kelvin Bwalya Fube says the new dawn administration has no plan of revamping mining activities at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) on the Copperbelt.
Mr. Bwalya said Government should secure credible investors for the two mines with capacity to buy into Zambia’s development agenda.
“Mopani and KCM today are suffering and the simple reason is that there is just no plan. There is no rescue plan. The operational costs for Mopani and KCM cannot be met with the levels of production which are going on, , that is number one.
“Number two, contractors who are the majority of the employers who work and feed off the mines also are not being paid by the mines because the mines are not producing enough. So, there lies the problem,” Mr Bwalya said.
He stated that by now, Government should know that ongoing negotiations with Vedanta Resources Plc would not yield positive results.
Mr. Bwalya added that currently, contractors were not being paid as mines are not producing enough mineral.
“Today, as we speak, three quarters of the contractors and subcontractors with the mines are not working, which means the majority of the people who generate money around the Copperbelt are not there. What is the solution? The solution is very simple, you must find an investor who is willing to fit into the profile of what your development agenda is.
“We, at least speaking for myself as Zambia Must Prosper have taken a study, and we understand that the Copperbelt needs to be revamped. But some of the investors who are coming on board today, the President is talking of negotiating with Vedanta. But these negotiations have taken how long. And today, what are the answers?” Mr Bwalya wondered.
He added that Government should ensure that mines are restored to full production before finding suitable investors.
