By Staff Writer
The Copperbelt Civil Society Mining Consultative Forum has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for visiting and interacting with the Mining host community stakeholders despite not meeting CSOs.
Forum Chairperson Gerald Mutelo said it is disappointing that the president did not according an opportunity to Civil Society organizations in the province to express their concerns and appreciation.
Mr Mutelo said that in future the President should consider interacting with CSOs in the Province because they are also partners in National Development.
He said CSOs respect the professional way the issue of Mopani Copper Mines is being handled but it must be expedited.
“We wish to caution the government to take extra precaution measures on the matter and put the interest of the people and nation ahead of any negotiation on Mopani. This has to do with the issue of ownership,” he said.
Mr Mutelo said Government through the President after this week long visit to the province should make decisions on the matters affecting the mining sector especially those matters not before any litigation.
He said the issue of licenses he mentioned in Lufwanyama, there is need to first invest in the formalization of the Artisanal and Small scale mining before talking about giving licenses to Zambians.
The forum comprises: Democratic Governance & Human Rights Advocates (DEGHA), Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW), Catholic Diocese of Ndola (Caritas Ndola), Emerald and Semi-Precious minerals Association of Zambia (ESMAZ), Citizens for Transformation Network (CTN), Sustainable Natural Resource Empowerment Initiative (SUNREI), Kirila Naturals, Development Education Project (DECOP), Future Preneur Zambia (FPZ), Action for Sustainable Development (ASD), Activists for Justice and Development (AJUDE), Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ
