Maravi

KCM’s K22m fine for pollution lawful - ECZ

KCM’s K22m fine for pollution lawful - ECZ
By Mwila Chansa in Chingola
Fri 21 Jan. 2011, 04:01 CAT

THE courts and regulators cannot impose stiffer penalties on perpetrators of pollution than what is provided for in the law, according to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ).

And Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) chief executive officer Kishore Kumar says the mining firm will continue upholding global best practices on the environment in all its areas of operation.

Responding to concerns on why KCM was fined K22 million for polluting the Kafue River in November last year, ECZ director Paul Banda said the penalties imposed on KCM were the existing maximum under the law.

“You will note that the Act is currently being reviewed, it is in Parliament. But in terms of penalties, what was imposed is the maximum allowable by law. Even courts do not just dream of penalties, they are guided by provisions of the law,” Banda said.

And briefing the press on Wednesday, Kumar (left) said KCM’s commitment to uphold a higher standard of environmental care was entrenched in its principles of ensuring it remained a good corporate citizen.

“In line with its previously stated commitments, the company is pressing on with a detailed action plan approved by the ECZ and the Mines Safety Department, to further improve its environmental footprint and progress has been made in this area,” Kumar said.

And mines permanent secretary Dr Godwin Beene said no stakeholder wanted to see pollution.

Dr Beene said the government would closely work with industries and other stakeholders on issues pertaining to pollution.

He said the government wanted to ensure that pollution issues were adequately addressed.

“We do not like to see any operator contravening operations or causing pollution. We are keen to see that industry lives up to the commitment of environmental management plans,” said Dr Beene.

Meanwhile, journalists from both the public and private media challenged the government officials present during the KCM briefing permanent secretaries for mines and tourism on why they had let the mining firm go scot-free on several occasions despite polluting the Kafue River.

The journalists were concerned that KCM did not bother to inform them whenever it polluted the Kafue River and that this was dangerous especially for citizens that depended on water from the river.

Others wanted to know what penalties the government would slap on KCM if they polluted the Kafue River again.

Spillages from KCM’s Tailing Leach Plant have on several occasions polluted the Kafue River.

Almost the entire Copperbelt population relies on the Kafue River for its water.

Labels: ECZ, GODWIN BEENE, KCM, KISHORE KHUMAR, POLLUTION

posted by MrK @ 4:43 AM