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Mine unions have held discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka after expressing worry on delayed revamping of Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) and non-involvement in the Mopani Copper Mine deal.
Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president, Joseph Chewe, led the National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) and United Mineworkers Union of Zambia (UMUZ) counterparts, Saul Simujika and Wisdom Ngwira, to meet the President.
According to a statement issued on Saturday in Kitwe,the three mine unions discussed pending issues surrounding KCM and MCM on the Copperbelt.
Chewe thanked President Hichilema for opening the doors to the labour movement in the mining sector with the view of resolving issues surrounding the two giant mines on the Copperbelt.
He assured miners at KCM and Mopani that the union leaders would be briefed on the details regarding the discussions with the President.
Chewe urged miners to remain calm as issues surrounding the two giant mines were being resolved.
Read more: ‘KCM a dead horse’, Unions allege mine in poor shape, demand full disclosure of Mopani deal
President Hichilema said the labour movement was a key part in the country’s economic programme.
The President said the government was keen to see members of the union and the mining community receive the necessary social and economic support in a conducive and safe working environment.
He emphasised that government was resolved to ensuring a smooth transition in the mining industry, a critical component in the country’s economic agenda, which had been plagued by various bottlenecks over the years.
He said his administration would continue focusing on matters of common interest.
Recently, the mine unions had expressed concerns over the delay to resolve issues at KCM saying the underground mines risked flooding if investments were not made.
They also expressed disappointment at not been availed the details of the Mopani share transactions to the unions who were major stakeholders.
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