Maravi

Mopani’s chief executive officer seeks fair deal

Mopani’s chief executive officer seeks fair deal
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Sat 04 June 2011, 04:01 CAT

MOPANI Copper Mines chief executive officer Emmanuel Mutati says mining companies must provide a framework in which inequalities in the industry can be addressed for the benefit of all people.

During a luncheon hosted for mines minister Maxwell Mwale at the ongoing Copperbelt Mining and Agricultural Show in Kitwe on Thursday, Mutati said the goal of the mining companies should not be to seek an advantage for one group at the expense of others.

“…Our objective ought not to be to create prosperity for some by impoverishing others. Our purpose must be to provide a framework in which all could benefit, in which inequities could be addressed and in which all our people and industries can prosper,” he said.

Mutati said now was the time to act boldly to fully revive the country’s economy for lasting prosperity owing to the high copper prices on the international market.

He said although the current metal prices would not last, Zambians could take advantage of them.

Mutati said Mopani Copper Mines was taking advantage of the higher prices by expanding production capacity through investing in new projects that would increase not only production levels but also extend the life of the mines.

“This past year has been a happier one for all of us as we have witnessed the turning around of the international markets. The previous crisis had caught most of us ill-prepared and the remedy for repositioning ourselves was not easy medication for all to take,” he said.

Mutati wondered whether Zambia had learnt the necessary lessons from the previous international financial disaster.

“Historically these situations have been cyclic and Professor David Miles of the Bank of England predicts three financial crises in the next two decades. Have we documented the lessons of the 2008/2009 debacle? Have we learnt much that will enable us ride the future storms and at least insulate our country from the worst effects of yet another financial crisis?” asked Mutati.

And mines minister Maxwell Mwale has urged local emerging businesses in the mining sector to take advantage of the upsurge in copper prices now and diversify to survive any recurrence of the global crisis.

Mwale said local entrepreneurs must continue to run businesses beyond the life of the mine.

“We have liberalised our economy, allowing our people the freedom to engage in meaningful business. I want to take this opportunity to thank the management of our mining industry for supporting our local business community,” Mwale said.

“I implore you to continue to nurture this emerging force of entrepreneurs whose role you must insist, must be to help you cut down your cost of production.”

Mwale cautioned against over-dependence on mining by the mining companies, suppliers and contractors.

“To this emerging business community, I have a very simple but strong message: diversify now! In this way you will be able to survive a global crisis and continue to run the business beyond the life of a mine,” Mwale said.

“We have an opportunity to avoid any of our mining towns becoming ghost towns after mining. To this end, government is developing a multi-economic facility zone here on the Copperbelt. I urge the Zambian business community to cease the opportunity to get in there now and establish themselves.”

Meanwhile, Mwale has urged investors to be sensitive to public opinion and expectations in the areas they were operating in.

He urged investors to seriously address safety and health issues as well as environmental protection and corporate social responsibility.

Mwale called on mining investors to create room for school leavers in their operations.

“Train them, from apprenticeship to managers so that they are fully equipped with the requisite skills to completely run your operations. The fruits of the growing mining industry must be seen in the increased employment levels among our graduates, the strengthening and sharpening of technical and administrative skills matching those found in operations with the best practice anywhere in the mining world,” said Mwale.

Labels: MAXWELL MWALE, MFEZ, MOPANI

posted by MrK @ 11:06 PM