Coalition of civil society groups plan protests over delays in reactivating Konkola, Mopani mines

A coalition of civil society groups are planning to protest on August 12, 2023 and petition President Hakainde Hichilema over the delay to resolve Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani challenges.

Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD) Executive Director, Samuel Banda, and Zambians for Unity Peace and Development (ZUPD) president, Ronnie Jere, spoke on behalf of the CSOs at a media briefing in Lusaka on Saturday.

Banda reminded government that mining remains a major source of the country’s foreign currency earnings, hence the quest by CSOs to have KCM and Mopani mines unlocked in the interest of restoring national economic development.

He said this was also the only way to ensure the copperbelt economy did not fall into further recession.

“We are deeply saddened that the second quarter just ended and yet government has not made a critical decision on addressing the non functionality status of KCM and Mopani mines,” Banda said.

He said this is despite several assurances from the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, that government will soon unlock the mining sector.

Banda recalls that government had promised to unlock the mining sector sector in the first quarter of 2023.

“We cannot continue moving on this trajectory, we now feel that the Minister of Mines is not helping President Hakainde Hichilema to address operational challenges of KCM and Mopani mines,” he said.

Banda said the Minister was on record as saying that the process was complicated and that people cannot comprehend the negotiations process. However, that leaves many wondering how Mr. Kabuswe expects Zambians, who are the main stakeholders, to understand if he is not updating the nation on progress made regarding KCM and Mopani.

Speaking at the same media briefing, Jere noted that without opening up and unlocking key economic sectors that drive development in our country such as the mining sector, the debt restructuring agreement would not have a positive transformational impact.

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