Economic Front alleges premature announcement of Vedanta’s return to Konkola Copper mines

The Economic Front (EF) has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to state the true status of Vedanta’s return to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Party Spokesperson, Humphrey Kabwe, said the EF was deeply surprised and disappointed with the President’s silence on the alleged premature return of Vedanta to KCM.

Kabwe in a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, stated that this was despite all the “noise” announcement made about five months ago.

“As a party, we challenge President Hakainde Hichilema to immediately state his position on the status of Vedanta return to KCM and apologize for premature announcement of Vedanta return to KCM,” he said.

Kabwe claimed that currently the crusher and smelter plants were shut down and that it had been five months since the government announced the return of Vedanta to KCM.

He alleged that no tangible investment had been brought into KCM, thus causing anxiety to worker’s, local contractors and suppliers on the future of this mine.

“At the moment, management at KCM is now forcing worker’s to go on leave due to non-function of the mine and contracting companies have laid off their worker’s due to non payment of salaries yet your government is silent over the matter,” he said.

Kabwe further called on Mine Workers Unions (MUZ) to speak against the bad happenings at KCM before the mine completely collapse.

“Lastly, we call upon MUZ, NUMAW and miner’s to stand and speak against the bad happenings at KCM before the mine completely collapse,” he said.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.