(LUSAKATIMES) Bwana Mkubwa shuts down as 365 workers lose jobs
Bwana Mkubwa shuts down as 365 workers lose jobsDecember 17, 2008
Bwana Mkubwa copper plant in Ndola on the Copperbelt has been closed and 365 workers laid off.
The mine has closed its plant due to lack of stock feed which was being imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently only the acid plant is operational.
But Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says the closure of Bwana Mkubwa could have been avoided if management had planned its operations properly.
Mr. Mwale said in Ndola on Wednesday that management should have considered other alternatives of getting raw materials, as suggested by government.
He said government allowed First Quantum the owners of Bwana Mukubwa to explore in Mkushi and Mpongwe and wondered why management at the mine did not conclude the exploration.
Other mining firms on the copperbelt may lay off some workers as copper prices continue to go down on the international market.
President Rupiah Banda said on Tuesday that government is working hard to reduce the country’s dependence on copper.
He said efforts are under way to improve the tourism sector which will earn the country substantial revenue.
Meanwhile, Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says government will not condone any level of asset stripping at any of the mines in view of the low copper prices on the international market.
Mr. Mwale says government is worried that some mine owners might start selling vital equipment as scrap metal.
Mr. Mwale was speaking after a meeting with the mine workers unions in Kitwe.
And Labour minister, Austin Liato, said issues affecting the mines in Zambia should not be politicized.
Mr. Liato said it is wrong for some opposition leaders to blame president, Rupiah Banda, for the low copper prices because the problem affects all copper producing countries.
[ZNBC]
Labels: BWANA MKUBWA, JOBLOSSES, MAXWELL MWALE, MINING
posted by MrK @ 1:12 AM
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