By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
Chingola constituency Member of Chipoka Mulenga has urged Mimbula Minerals to give employment to the 62 residents that fought and helped the company obtain its mining license.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call at the mines; Mr Chipoka said that it is prudent for the mine to consider employing local residents at the mine.
He said once the residents are employed, Chingola district will develop as a whole.
Mr Chipoka urged the mine not forget their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the area of operation.
“There is no need to worry about cadres intimidating and interfering with your works, the new regime does not condone that, as UPND we will ensure that professionalism is maintained, together we will rebuild Chingola brick by brick, Mimbula consortium is a big mine that has potential to help develop Chingola constituency” he said.
And Mimbula Minerals Managing Director Theo Silver said the mine has a number of projects that are aimed at improving the constituency.
“We have village banking that involves the women and youths, we are also constructing a classroom block at Lulamba combined as part of our CSR, on behalf of the mine, I would like to pledge that our mine will endeavor to do what’s best for the residents,” he said.
Mr Chipoka also visited big mountain mine along Lulamba road in Chingola owned by a group of Chinese investors.
The lawmaker was disappointed with the state of big mountain mine as it did not have proper documentations required to operate a mine.
Mr Chipoka said that further action will be taken as the mine is evidently operation illegally.
And big mountain Acting Manager Chisha Chitambala said that the situation is unfortunate but they will get the required documents as soon as possible.
The Chingola constituency Member of Parliament later on visited Rudra Copper Mines in Mimbula ward.
Mr Chipoka commended Rudra mine for ensuring that all the workers have proper PPE’s and working hours are within the Labour Laws.
He said that his government wants to work with all the investors to revive the economy.
He encouraged Mr Rukishi, the Mining Manager at Rudra to incorporate interns so that they acquire knowledge from them.
And Mr Rukishi said that the mine supplies copper concentrated to KCM and China Copper mine.
He said that since the mine was opened last April, it has never experienced any causality and they have employed over 200 employees.
