Sat, 24 Jun 2017 11:41:15 +0000 By Jackson Mapapayi Kasempa residents are protesting the blackmail of traditional leaders by foreign owners of a mining company over the disputed exploration license of the Katokamema mine. The dispute, which has lasted two years, comes on the heels of a decision by the Ministry of Mines to cancel the mining license number 16199-HQ-LPL held by Avarma Mining Company Ltd and awarded it to Katenge Mining Resources Ltd which was a company meant to represent and benefit the community. However, an investigation of company records shows that almost immediately the company was sold off by its Zambian directors to foreign shareholders of Russian and Ukrainian nationality who now hold majority of shares, leaving the community without any interest in the company or its operations. Local sources say that these directors are well known agitators and repeatedly act against the interest of the community, only caring for their personal gain. […]
