Matambo urges patience as mine unions, other stakeholders seek final resolution of Vedanta deal

Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo, says the mine union leaders should be patient as government concludes the court processes before handing over Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) to Vedanta Resources.

On Wednesday, the mine unions urged government and Vedanta to conclude the process of handing over the mine to prevent the impending flooding of KCM mine due to lack of investments.

But Matambo said during a briefing in Ndola on Saturday that the mistakes of yester years would not be repeated as the handing over of the mine to the Indian miner would soon be concluded.

“Vedanta of yester years is different from the current Vedanta because they are dealing with a serious government of President Hakainde Hichilema, so the unions need to be patient it’s just matter of days,” he said.

Matambo said stakeholders should not demonize government efforts to revamp the mines.

“You saw Mines and Mineral Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, highlighting so many achievements scored by the new dawn government in the mining sector, just recently President Hichilema announced that an equity partner has been found for Mopani Copper Mine, what can we do,” he stated.

Responding to the demands by the unions from Vedanta Resources, Head of Communications, Masuzyo Ndhlovu, said progress had been made.

“We are in the final stages of concluding the court process, stakeholders should remain calm, we shall fulfil all the commitments we pledged, it’s just a matter of weeks,” Ndhlovu stated.

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