Zambia has asked Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), a Glencore subsidiary to reverse its decision to close two shafts at its Nkana site. Mopani’s announcement of the shaft closures had led to 1,400 job losses, which the opposition parties did not take it kindly.
Mines Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda had written to Mopani to ask the company not to close the two shafts. It has implored the mining major to hold discussions with the government. The government has directed the mining company, among other things, to hand over the running of the shafts to local contractors instead of closing them. It also reprimanded Mopani for taking an arbitrary decision and asked them to come to the negotiating table. However, it was the considered view of the company to close down the two uneconomic shafts. It wants to channelize the saved resources towards completion of other expansion projects. It is also indicative of lack of interests being shown by the mining companies because of the panoply of restrictions being imposed on them from time to time.
