The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers-NUMAW says it is currently engaging its members concerning Vedanta Resources Limited’s offer to come back and run Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).
NUMAW President James Chansa said the union has taken note of what Vedanta Resources has promised and is hoping that government and the Indian mining firm can effectively address the KCM matter.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Chansa said government should critically look at the conditions offered by Vedanta Resources and consult from other key stakeholders in order to find a lasting solution to the matter.
When asked whether the union wants Vedanta back, Chansa said the union, which is a key stakeholder of Konkola Copper Mines, would only give a full report once consultations from its members are done, as that is when they will be able to state their position on the matter.
Chansa noted that the union is looking forward to finding amicable ways of resolving the issues at Konkola Copper Mines.
Vedanta Resources has made its intentions clear concerning wanting to run KCM again and has made some promises which it will fulfill if allowed to operate the mine for a second time.
In a letter dated May 5, 2022, seen by ZBT, addressed to Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe, Vedanta Resources CEO Sunil Duggal said the company would pay suppliers owed by KCM, especially small-scale suppliers up to US $ 220 million, which was due as on 21 May 2019 when the Provisional Liquidator was appointed.
Duggal said the company has committed that upon its return, it shall implement a 20% salary increase across the board and a one off payment of K2500 within 3 months of the return after the technical forensic audit of KCM has been completed and review the workers’ conditions of service to ascertain whether there could be room for further adjustments.
He noted that upon KCM’s return to the management of its Board, it shall together with all relevant stakeholders; sit down to draw up a framework of cooperation and sustainable engagement for KCM’s future Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes.
