By Agness Changala
Mine Workers Union of Zambia president Joseph Chewe says the government and Vendata must quickly resolve any outstanding issues so that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) can start operating for the benefit of Zambians.
Chewe said following the announcement by the government last month that Vedanta had come back, the mines anticipated a quick return of operations to normalcy adding that they have been waiting for a longtime.
Last week in Parliament, mines minister Paul Kabuswe said the government and Vedanta had not yet entered any deal over the running of KCM.
Kabuswe said the government only availed Vedanta as a preferred investor to take charge of the mining company.
He also added that the government has gone out of court with Vedanta and agreed to go to the negotiating table and that the handover will take at least three months.
The mines minister was responding to a matter of urgent public importance raised by Pambashe PF member of Parliament Ronald Chitotela who wanted to know whether the minister misled the nation over the government signing the deal with Vedanta Resources.
According to Chitotela, Kabuswe’s statement was at variance with what his permanent secretary Hapenga Kabeta recently disclosed that the deal had not yet been signed and was being finalised.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Chewe said the union will not involve itself in the politics of UPND and PF because it is aware that what KCM needs is capital injection.
He also said what the union is interested in is to see that this asset which belongs to all Zambians continue to give jobs and continue to benefit Zambians and the country at large.
“The politics that may be around PF and UPND, we want to distance ourselves because workers don’t need politics. Workers want a resolution, we can only ask government to quickly finalise so that the operations can be back to normal because if we keep politicking, we might lose the asset and the next generation will not spare us for not protecting this asset,” Chewe said. “It’s like a family asset. We all have our obligations including you and me to ensure that this asset continues to give to Zambians and all workers in general.”
Chewe however said, if during negotiations it is discovered that Vedanta has no capacity, the government must make a decision in the interest of Zambians.
He said the mines are not part of the negotiations and not part of the agreement and are only depending on the government.
“So we are just also watching from the terraces and depending on government who are representing all of us on this issue to do their best,” he said.
Chewe has since urged the members to stay patient as the government and Vedanta deal with the issues.
He also said the mine was aware that it will take three months to finalize all aspects.
“Three months was left for either party to do their part, to deal with issues that trigger separation so we were aware that they can’t sign without agreeing on a number of issues,” said Chewe.
