Mines Minister, Paul Kabuswe, has suspended three manganese mining licenses for non-compliance to safety and mining standards regulations in central province.
Mr Kabuswe has since directed the mines bureau to ensure all mining activities at the three sites are halted immediately until the situation is corrected to avoid loss of lives.
The minister announced the suspension after touring the two mining sites in Serenje and the other one in Mkushi district all operating under Sacko mining license.
Mr Kabuswe says in a mining set-up, the safety of the personnel comes first and as much as the government needs money, it will not compromise on safety and mining standards regulations.
He described the prevailing situation at the condemned sites as a ticking time bomb that would explode anytime.
He reiterated that the mining sector in the country has for a long time been managed in a disorganized manner because of some corrupt political elements.
And speaking during the meeting with various mining entities at Chimetal minerals Maganese processing company, central province minister Credo Nanjuwa said government wants to do straight business where investors create jobs for the local people while contributing to the treasury.
He said the provincial administration will support the investments but hoped the ministry of mines will soon come up with informed policies to stop the illegalities that had marred the mining sector.
He reiterated that the mining sector in the country has for a long time been managed in a disorganized manner because of some corrupt political elements. MINISTER BE TRUTHFUL. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MSD INSPECTORS NOT POLITICIANS. YOUR OFFICERS EASILY SUCCUMB TO BRIBERY BY MINING COMPANIES. THERE WAS THIS SHORT BIG HEADED INSPECTOR WHO WHENEVER HE VISITED A MINE WOULD ASK FOR EMPTY DRUMS. HE WOULD DEPART FROM THE MINE WITH DRUMS AND BAGS OF MEALIE MEAL AND A FAKE REPORT. THE INSPECTOR CLOSES AN END DUE TO BAD VENTILATION, BUT QUICKLY REOPENS IT AFTER SOMETHING EXCHANGES HANDS. IF YOU FOCUS ON POLITICIANS (PF) AND OVERLOOK THE INSPECTORATE, YOU WILL SPEND ALL YOUR TIME INSPECTING AND CLOSING MINES.
Talk about Mopani and kcm
The Mining inspector’s office used to be one of the most feared and respected departments in government. It used to be professional and set such high standards that you hardly heard of mine accidents in Zambia. Fast forward to 1991 when MMD came into offuce, it has been in steady decline and the PF era just put a death nail to a limping dying dept, with heightened corruption and political interference. Restore order in the dept minister so that our mining sector can thrive.
Talking about safely. Its sad to see the continuation of the blasting occurrences in Mungule area, 10 Miles where a Zinc mine has been setup just around housing communities. Not sure if the honorable minister has visited this said mine, that has been in operation for the last 6 months or so. The mine has been blasting with blasts being felt in a radius of 2km. Surely is this the way people should live. No consideration for the infrastructure in the said area. Now the buildings have started showing signs of effects of the blasts. UPND we voted you in to sort out a lot of such injustices, please do your work and save the people.