…NUMAW is however optimistic the year 2024 shall be a productive one with the hope of improved conditions of service for KCM, MCM workers
By ROGERS KALERO
THE 2023 year has been a challenging one for the mining sector because of the operational problems which the two major mining companies, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) had encountered, leading to the declining of copper production levels, the National Union of Mines and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has said.
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Saul Simujika, the NUMAW) president, however is hopeful that the mining sector will be revived next year following Government’s tireless efforts which has resulted in finding equity partners for the two giant mining companies
In an interview, Mr Simujika said mine workers unions had been understanding and flexible to the management of various mining companies during negotiations in 2023, but once the sector was revived, unions would ensure that miners should start enjoying better conditions of service.
Mr Simujika said while KCM and MCM were facing challenges, which led to the declining levels of copper production, mines in North-Western Province such as Kalumbila, Kansanshi, Lumwana, First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and others had performed considerably well in 2023
“KCM and MCM are big mines whose operational challenges had affected the mining sector. But we hope for the best in 2024 now that Government through its tireless efforts had managed to find equity partners for the two giant mining companies.”
“Whilst we had challenges at KCM and MCM, I must say, mines in North-Western Province had performed well where FQM had invested heavily in the expansion of Trident Mine in Kalumbila. There was also ST project and there was also the opening of Nickel Mine in Kalumbila,” Mr Simujika said
Mr Simujika said mining firms such as FQM and Mimbula had been torchbearers in terms of looking after their employees hence mine workers unions were hoping that the equity partners for the two giant mines would match or surpass the two mines.
He said mine workers unions were looking forward to see credible investors such as FQM and Mimbula in KCM and MCM who would be able to invest in the operations and make the miners happy through proper remuneration and better conditions of service
Mr Simujika said the union was grateful to the government and President Hakainde Hichilema for their tireless efforts to find a lasting solution for the problems at for both MCM and KCM and was sure that the new investors would consider unions as partners in developing the mining sector.
“As a union, we are hoping for a good relationship with the equity partners for KCM and MCM so that miners can be motivated to work hard and increase production.”
“So, finding an investor to recapitalise MCM is one step towards finding a solution to the problem. However, the most important of all is to pick an investor with a good track record of running the mine and looking after its employees,” Mr Simujika said
And Mr Simujika has said the mining policies of the new dawn administration have contributed to the creation of an enabling environment for the expansion of existing mines and investment in new mines.
“Good policies have been favourable for the development of the mining sector and have also given confidence and hope to the union that the mining sector was headed for a boom under the new dawn administration
“The two years of the new dawn administration in office in the mining sector has been good as we have seen them create good mining policies that has been able to attract more investment opportunities for Zambia as well as our own local mining companies expanding their mines and increasing investment,” he said.
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