President Hakainde Hichilema says Government remains committed to addressing the challenges affecting the operations at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM).
Calls for urgent attention have continued for both the court cases at Konkola Copper Mines and unprofitability of the Glenore deal at Mopani Copper Mines as they have left local businesses limping and paralyzed the Copperbelt economy.
Earlier, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe admitted to ZBT that government does not have immediate solutions to revamp both Mopani and KCM which will in turn support businesses on the Copperbelt.
However, Speaking during the official opening of the second session of the thirteenth national assembly, monitored by the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, President Hichilema said measures are being taken to safeguard jobs for the people and significantly turn around production around the two assets.
The Head of State added that this is in an effort to provide a favourable environment for increased investment in mining and downstream activities.
President Hichilema said government shall review the mineral resources development policy, while positioning the sector to contribute towards the country’s economic transformation agenda.
He said government prioritized the reorganization of artisanal and small-scale mining in an endeavor to increase the participation of citizens in the mining sector.