Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Yamfwa Mukanga has commended Zinc Aluminum Lead and Copper company, ZALCO, for the huge investment that has revived Kabwe’s once lost glory.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS after he toured the ZALCO plant in Kabwe yesterday, Mr Mukanga, who was accompanied by Central Province Minister, Phillip Kosamu and Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development Metallurgist, Hebert Sichusundu said government is optimistic that through ZALCO, the country in general and Kabwe in particular, will regain its industrial reputation, not only in Zambia, but beyond.
The Mines Minister said he is impressed with the efforts the mining company is making in ensuring that there is value addition to every product that it is producing, saying that is government’s ultimate expectation.
He said government wants to see value addition, and that mining companies should ensure that they translate their minerals into something that can be sold not only in Zambia, but abroad.
Mr Mukanga, however, urged the company to follow mining standards by ensuring that the workers’ conditions of service are improved in as far as protective clothing, work environment and remuneration are concerned.
And ZALCO Director, Hussein Safieddine, has called for government’s intervention with regards to incentives in order for the company to continue with value addition.
Mr Safieddine, whose company currently employs over 2,500 people, also boasted that his firm remains focused in realising value addition for its products.
The ZALCO Director disclosed that the company will on 18th September, 2012 open the paper recycling plant which is expected to create over 300 jobs for the local people.
Meanwhile, Central Province Minister, Phillip Kosamu, has advised ZALCO to effect the Minimum Wage, saying it is law which should not be abrogated.
Mr Kosamu said the company should appreciate the fact that the workers are giving them good production by remunerating them properly.
ZANIS
This was good pep talk from govt officials. Investors should be told in clear terms of what is expected of them. I hope the investors will take heed of this causion from the two ministers in Kabwe.
This is the kind of inverstment we need in the nation
Recently visited the company.We need to encourange such type of investment.
I am disappointed but no one talked about environmental pollution!
I am a wire & cable manufacturing specialist and I used to be working in Zambian Metal Fabricators (ZAMEFA) in Luanshya. I would like to contribute working in Zalco Kabew.
Regards