The Copperbelt Civil society mining forum has appealed to the President Hakainde Hichilema to explain to the nation if they have any plans or the capacity to run the konkola copper mines KCM and Mopani or they if will bring in a private sector locally or foreign.
In a statement, Forum Chairperson Mutelo Gerald said Efforts by the forum to engage the Mines Minister has failed despite making public pronouncements.
“This is in relation to what is happening in the communities where these mines operate, no liquidity in the economy, no money in circulation”, he said.
Mr. Mutelo also asked government to inform the Public on the beneficiaries of the black mountain in Kitwe.
In another development, the Copperbelt Civil Society Mining Forum further appealed to the Ministries of Mines and Energy to start encouraging Mining firms to begin producing their own electricity like Dangote in Ndola and First Quantum Minerals FQM in Kalumbila.
The forum said the issue of Load Shedding affects a lot of the vulnerable community members due to the Mining Firms which consume over 50% of the national installed capacity of electricity.
Mr. Mutelo said if all mining firms start producing its own electricity this will help the manufacturing industries and small & medium enterprises (SMEs)
“There is need for government to create an enabling environment for more private sector participation in the energy sector and not just concentrating on hydro power but also using other sources of energy like solar, wind etc,” Mr. Mutelo further said.
