The Konkola Copper Mine is in a dire situation, according to mining unions, who have urged the government to swiftly wrap up negotiations with Vedanta and restart the mine.
The Mine Workers Union of Zambia, United Mine Workers Union of Zambia, and National Union of Miners and Allied Workers stated at a joint press conference in Kitwe that if nothing is done in the shortest amount of time, KCM risks closing down, which could result in thousands of miners losing their jobs.
The unions believe that KCM should be returned to Vedanta because they have made it clear that they are prepared to inject cash and overhaul operations, according to MUZ President JOSEPH CHEWE.
He said that KCM’s inability to reach output goals is due to the mine’s employees’ lack of functional tools. According to Mr. CHEWE, Vedanta is the only choice currently accessible to manage KCM because they have made it known they have the wherewithal to restructure activities there.
He claimed that in order to restart the mine and boost economic activity on the Copperbelt, the negotiations between the government and Vedanta must be resolved swiftly.
If Vedanta wants to return, according to Mr. CHEWE, it must keep its pledge to raise employee salaries, pay suppliers, and address community issues in the areas where it operates.
Additionally, KCM is not operating as intended because to legal concerns, according to WISDOM NGWIRA, president of the United Mine Workers Union of Zambia. According to Mr. NGWIRA, bringing back Vedanta, who is willing to invest money in KCM’s operations, is the simplest approach to get the mine to operate at full capacity.
The operations of the Konkola deep mine in Chililabombwe, the wettest mine in the world, are at significant risk, according to NUMAW President SAUL SIMUJIKA, who also noted that the ongoing delay in resolving legal disputes between the government and Vedanta.
