By Isaac Zulu
Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba has said that both Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines are almost on the verge of collapsing.
In an interview, Sinkamba explained that mining operations have dwindled at both KCM and Mopani Copper Mines, saying the two facilities are in a mess.
“Maybe some political parties perceive things differently. But for me I look at this issue as a person who has been working in the mines for 30 years and I understand the mining industry very well. I know who is a player both locally and abroad. For Mopani Copper Mines, the PF government bought off that facility from Glencore and nationalised it and it is under ZCCM-IH which is a government entity. No shareholders have changed and there’s nothing seriously happening in terms of operations,” Sinkamba explained. “Mopani Copper Mines has been failing to pay contractors and suppliers for a year because they have no money. Government has failed to look for money to revitalise operations at that facility and it was almost shutting down. Right now Mopani is in a mess because operations have dwindled. With Konkola Copper Mines the issues are well known. Me I live on the Copperbelt and I can tell you that I there’s nothing happening. PF brought a liquidator UPND has brought a receiver, which are both illegal actions. Last week or is it the other week, ZCCM-IH gave KCM a gaurantee so that they can get $15 million from ECO Bank for operations, which is nothing, very insufficient. Both KCM and Mopani Copper Mines are almost on the verge of collapsing.”
He said that the prevailing situation at KCM and Mopani Copper Mines is impacting negatively on communities in which the two mining companies operate.
“As we speak communities are suffering big time. And if nothing is done to avert the total collapse of the two mines, it will be a disaster,” Sinkamba said.
He urged government to find money for the recapitalization of the two mining companies.
“We need serious interventions. And for us, we have been advocating for the come back of Vedanta. And government must must find money for operations of these two mining companies. Not that $15 million, which is only sufficient for CEEC electricity bill,” said Sinkamba.
