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The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) says the careless statements being issued by politicians almost on daily basis on Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines are making the job of government very difficult in coming up with a win-win situation.
Party Chairperson for Chairman for Mines, Percy Chanda, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Lusaka.
Chanda said with these careless statements, government may be pushed into an extremely weak bargaining position.
He said the unnecessary pressure from politicians could lead to the two mines being sold at giveaway price with unfavorable conditions for miners and ordinary Zambians.
“Government is negotiating under duress. It’s no longer a bargaining process where there is the spirit of give and take. From time to time Zambians have complained on how our mines have been sold,” Chanda said.
He said Zambians have also complained that the deals that are signed do not befit them yet some people are busy issuing statements meant to weaken government position on the two mines.
Chanda said currently, government can either negotiate with the new buyers or Glencoe and Vedanta however, negotiating skills demand that, one must negotiate in good faith based on the principle of give and take.
“Secondly never at any stage of negotiations display any signs of desperation. Then confidentiality must be observed at all times.
“Honestly, are we not being fair to ourselves when on daily basis careless statements that undermine the process and its outcome are being issued,” he has asked.
Chanda stated that when the Patriotic Front (PF) grabbed the mines none of the politicians talking today bothered to ask them about the conditions that were attached to these mines.
He said the integrity of the bargaining process will be highly compromised if those who harassed both Vendetta and Glencoe officials are part of the process.
“Remember how that young Chief Executive Officer at Mopani was harassed? Be patriotic, do your cheap politics away from the mining industry,” Chanda said.
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