Kitwe Mayor Christopher Kang’ombe has called for continued support from Mopani Copper Mines to the Local Authority in its service delivery programme.
Eng Kang’ombe made this pronouncement yesterday when new Mopani Chief Executive Officer, Mr Nathan Bullock, paid a courtesy call on him.
The Mayor said in the recent past Mopani had been very helpful and cited the 20 hectares of land in Mindolo which Mopani donated to the Council were Ichimpe dumpsite is located.
“I want to sincerely thank Mopani for the assistance the company renders to us especially in times of disasters. We are of the view that this cooperation must continue,’ Kang’ombe observed and requested the CEO to consider awarding to the Council for city development pieces of land that Mopani might not utilize for future mining activities,” he said.
He said the bulk of land in Kitwe is mining land but over the years your mining methods have changed and if there is land that you will never utilize in future.
Eng Kangombe said Council will be awarded such pieces of land for city developments as the town expands.
He has noted that during previous engagements with Mopani, one of the pieces of land which was proposed to be handed over to the Council is near Luangwa Township which has been earmarked for a dumpsite.
The Mayor also reminded Mopani on their pledge to construct one of the market shelter and an ablution block by Chisokone market.
Mr Nathan Bullock said Mopani was committed to supporting the local authority through the corporate social responsibility policy.
He explained that any land to be made available to the Council, it was imperative for Mopani to first ensure that a physical buffer between the mine and the community existed.
‘We need to ensure that we tackle the issue of security and mining emission before any decision to be made to release land to the council. These aspects must be put into consideration,” Mr. Bullock emphasised.
