By VITA BANDA
YOUTHS on the Copperbelt have vowed to stage a peaceful protest on August 25, 2023 to demand for Government’s quick action on Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mine (MCM).
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Movement coordinator Chishala Mwamba says various cabinet ministers among them Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, Science and Technology Felix Mutati and Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe have promised the nation on several occasions that the issues surrounding KCM and Mopani would be resolved soon, but the matter keeps on being delayed further.
Mr Mwamba says this delay has become too hard to ignore for hundreds of youths who have come together to make a plea through a peaceful protest.
Our demand is for cabinet to speed up the negotiation process with Vedanta Resources, he says, and hasten the process for identifying an investor for MCM is inspired by the increased poverty levels and heightened unemployment levels arising from the non-operationalisation of these mines,” he said
“Crime rate and illicit activities are at levels never seen before in our communities because young people have little or no opportunities to exploit. This is a Cabinet decision that does not require the Minister of Mines alone to handle. We know the decision hinges on the entire Cabinet whom we believe are being reluctant on this matter. Protests will be conducted in Ndola at Cabinet office, Mufulira, Chingola, and Chililabombwe,” Mr Mwamba said.
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