Rufunsa DC challenges Gold cooperatives to get to business
By JOHN KOMBE
RUFUNSA District Commissioner, Richard Mabena has challenged the Gold mining cooperatives to take their mining operations seriously, accusing them of underperforming despite continued government support.
In an interview, Mr. Mabena said that he was disappointed that the Gold mining cooperatives were under-performing despite receiving the needed support from the government.
He therefore challenged them to attach importance to their undertaking because the government had invested heavily in procuring equipment, licensing and providing the required training.
He expressed shock that the cooperatives had failed to work in harmony.
He accused some cooperative leaders of sidelining ordinary members who had complained of not being given a chance to use the mining equipment.
He said that the empowerment was not for individuals, but the youths in the area.
He revealed that the Gold mining cooperatives had only declared production of about 5 grams of Gold, a thing he said was unacceptable.
Mr. Mabena alleged that some cooperative leaders are reported to have connived with a ZCCMIH Gold company employee to transport the equipment to Mumbwafor private errands.
He said that this was unfortunate because the equipment was for the people of Rufunsa and disclosed that he has since confiscated the equipment for safe keeping until the cooperatives resolve their differences.
And Chimwetu Gold mining cooperative chairman, Emmanuel Temboacknowledged that the cooperatives were having differences over the use of the equipment.
Meanwhile, Zambia Consolidated Gold Mining Company public relations officer, Liyani Kaputo earlier refuted claims that one of its employees was involved in illegal mining activities with some cooperative leaders.
