The Engineering Institute of Zambia – EIZ has identified serious shortcomings in the operations of Vedanta owned Konkola Copper Mines – KCM following its recent happenings. KCM operates mines in Chingola at Nchanga and Konkola at Chililabombwe.
Addressing the media in Lusaka on May 23rd, 2019 attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, EIZ President Eng. Sydney Matamwandi has cited neglected skills transfer and development, deploying under qualified expatriate personal without the requisite competences in sensitive key management and operational positions by the mining firm.
Matamwandi has further disclosed that the mining company has neglected to complete the Konkola deep mining project resulting into serious shortage of feed into the smelter saying the project would have added significant value to the mining company while creating sustainable employment for citizens.
He has however described the current operations at KCM as regrettable and has observed that the tendency by the mining firm of importing spare parts that could be procured within the country has caused loss of business.
“You may be aware that KCM among all the copper mines in Zambia sits on the whole with the best grade of copper so the future of copper mining in Zambia is at KCM and what happens at KCM affects the mining industry especially that mining is the main stay of our economy,” he said.
He further said Zambia should use the above shortcomings if the viability of the mining operation under the next investor is to be assured and has since urged government to consider investors with skill and financial capabilities in choosing who to run KCM.
Matamwandi further revealed that the institution has commenced engagement with key stakeholders to discuss the above in detail as well as assist in formulating a set of requirements that should be embedded into any agreement to be entered with the potential investors. He is however was hopeful that the lessons learnt will guide the decision for the national going forward.
