The National Union for Mine and Allied Workers (NUMAW) says Government and the new mines Minister Paul Kabuswe should consider resolving the issues relating to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines Plc as a matter of priority.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, NUMAW president James Chansa said Government needed to sit down and look at the way forward for both companies to the benefit of the country.
Chansa said, “Our expectation in the first place is that the Minister of Mines and Minerals must work closely with the technocrats and other key stakeholders to address the various challenges that are in the mining industry.
“When you look at the mining industry in Zambia, we have the issue to do with Mopani Copper Mine and KCM. We know what has happened at the both companies. We have to sit down and look at what the way forward is, where we are now and what are we aiming at and then move in that direction,” he said.
Chansa said the trade union is very ready to work with the Government of the day because they cannot afford to them aside. He said Government must also work on creating a predictable and stable tax regime to create investor confidence.
Chansa noted that the mining tax regime has been inconsistent over the past few years, which somehow eroded investor confidence. “The other thing is that the tax regime policy in Zambia has not been consistent. We want a predictable tax regime that in the long run will also create investor confidence.
“If we can start with this, this will be the foundation on which investments in the mining industry will be laid,” he said.
Chansa also urged the new Minister to find ways of encouraging mining companies in North- Western Province to continue making investments and creating more jobs for the Zambian people.
“We must also look at the mines in North Western Province, they are heavily investing, they must be encouraged to continue and possibly encourage them to recruit or create employment because at the end of the day Zambians must benefit through job creation,” he added.
