FQM layoffs are meant to blackmail govt - SARW
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Mon 24 June 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE Earth Organisation says mining houses should not threaten the government with job losses in order for them to get away from their obligations regarding the environment.
And the Southern Africa Resources Watch says the intended mass lay-off of over 500 workers by First Quantum Minerals is merely meant to blackmail the government.
Commenting on reports that FQM will lay off 500 workers at its Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila in Solwezi which is under construction, The Earth Organisation executive director Lovemore Muma said the government should not be held at ransom by the company to disregard environmental requirements for fear of job losses.
"Development should be in the context of sustainable development, meaning that current needs should not compromise future generation needs. So the government should not just look at current worker needs but also future generations, that is our children and their children's children's jobs, because if we destroy the environment now the future generation will have no jobs. If we are going to lose 500 jobs and preserve the environment and create more sustainable jobs in the future so be it. Furthermore, before FQM started constructing the dam, they should have sought expert option from Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA)," Muma said.
He said the river where the mine intends to construct the dam was a source of water for several cattle farmers and villagers both up and down stream and according to ZEMA regulations, erection of any project of such a nature required the investor to seek necessary approval regarding environmental protection.
Muma wondered why FQM started building a dam on the river before seeking approval from the agency, adding that the mining company should not threaten the government with job losses for not following the requirement as set by ZEMA.
And SARW country coordinator Edward Lange said the government should not abandon the corrective process just for the purpose of satisfying the interest of the operator.
"As civil society, we are alert and adhering to the guidance given by the government, and as such any mishandling of the process will not give any sustainable business environment for the company. It has been three years now since the indigenous and host community started crying, the company has disregarded their concerns, and now that the government has come to the aid of people, it should be a win-win situation," Lange said.
"We also appeal to Zambians not to abuse their rights to acquire mining rights by selling the same at a later stage without due consideration of the welfare and rights of the host and indigenous people. The Kalumbila case is a very clear lesson for us in Zambia and the SADC region on how local people can disfranchise themselves. Such threats are baseless and temporal as what we appeal for is the consideration of the main concerns of the host community in the area," Lange said.
FQM spokesperson John Gladston was quoted saying that the company had been forced to lay off the workers because it could not sustain the current high workforce, while waiting for the ZEMA to lift a protection order that had prevented further construction of the Chisola dam.
Labels: EDWARD LANGE, FIRST QUANTUM MINING, JOBS, LOVEMORE MUMA, SARW
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Mopani is uncaring towards host communities, says Lange
By Kabanda Chulu
Mon 12 Mar. 2012, 12:00 CAT
THE statement by Mopani Copper Mines is a clear indication of how uncaring the company policy is towards host communities, says Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) Zambia representative Edward Lange.
Commenting on company chief executive officer Danny Callow's statement that Mopani was surprised at the action taken by ZEMA to shut down its treatment plant and expressed fears for the 310 jobs created by the project, Lange said the government must be vigilant to protect the lives of innocent people in Mufulira.
"Does it make any business sense to express surprise at the closure of the Heap Leach project when people have been living in anguish and pain and there have been stakeholders' discussions around the same project?" Lange asked.
"Does it make any moral sense for a human being worth being a chief executive officer, to fear for the loss of 310 jobs at the expense of more than 3,000 lives? This clearly indicates that Mopani is not interested in resolving this issue amicably as they don't know where the information is coming from leading to the suspension when people are suffering from the presence and operations of the same project."
Lange commended the Zambia Environmental Management Agency for taking a bold stance to shut down the project which had been causing acid fumes that were affecting the host community.
As a result of the acid mist and rainfall, several people have developed chest infections and various cancers and it has been difficult for people to grow food crops except for avocado and cactus plants in Kankoyo and Butondo Townships, which host Mopani mines in Mufulira.
Last week, ZEMA suspended operations at Mopani's Mufulira West Heap Leach Mining project and advised management to put in place measures to reduce effects of pollution in surrounding areas.
But Callow issued a statement refuting the findings of ZEMA, saying that Mopani was surprised by the suspension of a part of its mines, particularly that ZEMA had recently renewed its operating licence.
Labels: EDWARD LANGE, MOPANI, POLLUTION, SARW
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Address exploitation of resources, urges SARW
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Fri 26 Nov. 2010, 03:59 CAT
SARW Zambia representative Edward La-nge yesterday challenged the government leaders to urgently address the illegal exploitation of natural resources to avoid increased conflicts and instability in the sub region.
And Lange has advised that reports and publications which the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) supports do not represent the views of the institution but those of the authors and writers.
In an interview ahead of next month’s International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) heads of state summit scheduled for Lusaka, Lange urged member countries to implement rules and regulations that would reduce illegal exploitation of natural resources.
“It is widely recognised that illegal exploitation as well as the trade of natural resources contribute to the instability in the region and represents an impediment to economic and social development in the ICGLR region and we urge member states to find solutions to this problem through mutual agreement within the framework of close regional cooperation,” Lange said.
“We are saying so because the potential of conflict is high especially over the exploitation of resources along common borders and if not urgently addressed, it may explode since we seem to be sitting on a time bomb and as civil society we should also increase our advocacy against illegal exploitation of natural resources through regular interface with leaders so that this indiscriminate stealing can be stopped.”
He explained that regional civil society organisations recently met in DR Congo and resolutions of that meeting would be presented during the Heads of State summit in Lusaka.
“We are hoping to feed into the deliberations of the summit and present our resolutions since we are working for the same cause and Zambia has an opportunity as host nation and chair to share experiences and learn from what is obtaining in other countries. For instance, corporate social responsibility is voluntary in Zambia but in other countries it is compulsory,” Lange said.
He further said SARW supported various publications that were written by several authors.
“But their views do not necessarily represent that of the institution but individual authors,” said Lange.
SARW was established in 2007 and is supported by the Open Society Initiative in Southern Africa (OSISA), with its focus on promoting sustainable use of natural and mineral resources.
Labels: EDWARD LANGE, SARW
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