Senior Chief Musele of the Lunda people of Solwezi district in North western Province has said he would not sign the surface rights for the development of the Trident project by First Quantum Minerals if the 750 square kilometres being asked for is not revised.
Senior Chief Musele said he would not go ahead and sign because the land being asked for by the mining company is too much and suggested that they take up only 500 square kilometres.
He expressed fear that if the mine was given that much land his people would have no where to settle and do their farming activities from because the whole
area would be taken up.
The traditional leader was speaking during a meeting organised by the Environmental Council of Zambia at Wanyinwa Basic School in Solwezi on Wednesday.
Senior Chief Musele bemoaned gaps in the way information flowed between the two parties, citing the non availability of the map which clearly stated boundaries and where the mining activity starts and ends.
He added that information on a number of families to be affected by the mining activities through displacement had also not been disclosed.
Meanwhile, the senior chief has appealed to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) to consider translating the Environmental Impact Assessment draft report for the Trident project into local languages to enable locals have a clear understanding of its contents.
The chief also appealed for more time from ECZ to enable him study the draft report thoroughly.
Speaking at the same meeting, acting Senior Chief Sailung’a of Mwinilunga district observed that development brought about both a negative and positive impact on the people and environment hence the need to work out modalities on how to mitigate the negative impact.
Senior Chief Sailung’a said the coming of the Trident project would tamper with nature as trees and rivers that have been sustaining people’s livelihoods would be disturbed adding that the mine should try to protect these in every way possible.
ZANIS
My wise chief. I am a proud kaonde and my chief is wise because he has protected the people who were born in that land. I praise my chief for his wisdom. Please ask for a lot of money for each family. These mines make a lot of money.
Zambians rely on mines, in as much as I rely on my bf and Scotland to protect me for the rest of my life,
Please treat the poor Zambians well, for they deserve love as well, as what I have
I know I am fortunate, but it is not out of sheer luck it’s through handwork perseverance and good looks
Think of the less unfortunate, I bleed with worry most times
Thanks
My brothers in mwinilunga why did you allow a pineapple company to be given 5000Ha of land for free.What about the people who will suffer at an expense of a saud Arabian company. Why should we allow ourselves to suffer this kind? Open your eyes bwana president and help the people you serve. These so called investers are here to take away like a thief who comes in the night. We really need to be vigilant. I love my country.
I also think it’s backwards for us to be having the so called, Chiefs
Why are we living in the past?
Why chiefs, why not chose leaders with intelligence and forget about living in the last, as it deters progress and a chance to give the young men and young women like myself opportunities to lead this country
It is heartbreaking to see how the old cling on to powers, I am not even 30 but unless I am given a chance by the time I am 20 years old how can I lead this country
It is heartbreaking to see 72 year old fighting to lead this country
Rule of thumb is there should be a cap on leaders to lead, people to drink, people to have sex, people to study, that way we will have a competitive and uniform playground for all everyone
Thanks
#2 mushota
your lucky is through HANDWork. What do you mean? Or maybe you meant hard work.
Well said chief, please stick to your words, these guys for sure can it be possible to sell 700 sqare kilometre to a single company, it is more like selling north western to foreigners, and what about our people around this area, where are they going? anyway where kick backs is concerned the chiefs will be doomed.
It’s good news at least we have something different to talk about, having said that i’m of the view that developmental projects are good but when these projects are initiated with wrong motives it becomes a worrying factor. It is for this reason that a lot of these chiefs are reluctant to give up land for development, I’m saying so because if one goes to north western province right now the place looks as though the country is still in the stone age era, no one seems to be benefiting from all these mining activities apart from Chipata town which looks like the capital city of Zambia currently.These are just my assertions on the surface.
Why does ECZ fail to properly sensitize people. Why are we still behaving like the days when the bazungu came to sign the mining rights with the Barotse leader?
No 5 I meant Hardwork :(
sorry…
got to go back, lunch break is over x
Thanks
The local community are getting raw deal in terms of development of schools , hospital etc from the infestors[investors]
they should sign a mou to state what they do once in production, we are fed with investors who only leave ditches and freight our natural resources and development in there respective countries,
# 2 Mushota
Please spare us your lust for s e x you need prayers my sister, what is wrong with you? each time you open your mouth; it’s either you are trying to lecture us on erotic issues or you are trying to inform us how nice it was to f u c k this thing or that thing please look for erotic sites am sure they will appeal to your appetite.
The same so called first quantum gave one month salaries per each year saved as terminal package instead of the three months gasseted package to the former miners at bwana mine when they closed.
The minster of mines knows about all what these investors do to thier people.
Shem to our leaders and the toothless union
Good – thinking Chief. You even go further and establish the direct benefits to your subordinates in terms of health, schools, jobs. If this cannot be quantified and substantiated then you should not even give up the 500 ha.
GENTLEMEN DO NOT BE IGNORANT. LAND IS ZAMBIA IS ON LEASEHOLD SO THAT COMPANY WILL HAVE ONLY A NINETY NINE YEAR LEASE. WE HAVE TO BALANCE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE CHIEF IS SIMPLY WISELY NEGOTIATING A BETTER OUTCOME FOR HIS PEOPLE. HE WILL NOT STOP THE MINE DEVELOPING. HE JUST WANTS A BETTER DEAL THATS ALL.
This chief deserves leadership medal. To say anything more would be to spoil the moment. He is a model chief.
Ba Chief should ensure that the displaced familities are compesated during relocation as they have to start afresh. Also agree on the social and community responsibility that will accrue to the local people.
Don’t forget that the mines will bring development to the area and create employment to the local people.
Lets face it, the time for peasant farming is long gone as it is one of the major causes of environmental degradation and desertification due to poor farming methods. The use of charcoal and inkuni should be discouraged and the opening of the area for mining purposes will greatly help, as more people will be employment and earn sufficient income.
This is how the copperbelt developed so don’t hinder progress.
#4 Mushota dont forget yhat you live under the rule of a Queen. Not too different from having chiefs!
Great and Wise Chief.
The Mines must be made to sign legal MOUs making it mandatory for them to pay for maintenance of community infrastructure and cost of compensation for the displaced locals. We dont want to witness mine townships being turned into shanty compounds like Chamboli and Wusakile!!!!!!!!
The Lunda people should immediately setup Lunda mining company that has mining rights to the 750km sq, list on the zambian stock exchange. Then offer a deal to foreign companies – if they train the Lunda so that 100% of the workers are Lunda, and 100% of the equipment manufacturers are Zambian, and 100% of the costs are paid to Zambians before work starts – then foreign companies can buy 5% of the shares of lunda mining company/year – up to 40% max. And Lunda can mine up to 50km2 per year. …most african countries have been selling their resources for 10% of their true cost
Very impressive. We need more chiefs with balls like this chief. Not those who just rush to give out land wihout a moment’s thought about the locals. Bravo Chief
Enjoy your pain at Pascall’s KINGDOM…..
I see alot of # 2 #4 #9 even here in America. Very dull fools. getting under and having a boifriend is a big thing. No different from corrupt fool pa Zd. What hard work is there? Putting on ambi,diprosal and wearing mini skirt showing disgraced legs God forbid there are not scurs from ichiduni. this monkey c monkey Do don’t represent Zambia. You’re rubbish.
#17, great comment, we await #2’s response! Back to the topic, if all chiefs had the courage and enlightenment of these two chiefs, our people in the rural would have had an easier time. Lets face it, the jobs that will be created will be skilled ones and the rural areas are not exactly known for having skilled man-power. Therefore the main benefits accruing to the chiefs’ subjects will be mainly in form of social infrastructure and amenities. The mines must be held to these issues, and of course including minimal damage to the environment.
The Chief is talking sense, and the ECZ should be more serious and avoid being a rubber stamp. I am glad the Chiefs nowadays are erudite and not kachasu drinking, women chasing villains that they used to be.
I wonder whether some bloggers are debating the title of the article or its contents. From my reading, I thought that the chief is suggesting 500sq km instead of 750sq km. He is not rejecting the development per se, and also wants a little bit more time to understand. It is obvious that the chief is cautious and intelligent because that is the kind of discussions that are required by all sensible stakeholders – READ, understand the issue, debate intelligently and reach a compromise where possible. Obviously, Senior Chief Musele is much more intelligent than most of us bloggers above.
Ba chief tell your people to form a mining company and then look for equity partners with agreed upon shares. Then your people will benefit otherwise these mining companies will take all the money and leave massive holes in your land which will impact your generations to come.
It is said that the white man said that if you want to hide something from a black man, put it in a book.
Unfortunately some of the blogs above are confirmation of this, jumping to conclusions on the basis of a headline, a misleading headline, all because we are too lazy to read.
Trust me guys, this diasporo Zambians a re a disgrace. Eating and wearing foreign salaula is a big thing. learn to translate that to Zambia and be a difference to your people Mushota.
@MUSHOTA, HAND WORK,as in HAND JOB(blow job)??You have removed all the doubts i had about who you really are,so you survive on su.ki.ng white co.cks??.Concerning chieftainship, are you so dull that you dont know you live in the UNITED KINGDOM? have ever heard of QUEEN ELIZABETH,KING GEORGE,PRINCE CHARLES etc??You are really a good example of a modern prostitute.If you dont have any meaningful contribution its better you quit blogging.We dont need a tiny tombolilo like you to derail our discussions on this blogg.There is face ook where you can write your non.sense.
A very good stance taken by the chief. @ 29 i meant face book.
#,2,#4,#9,Ka Mushota you are dull.But its ok since you always make me want xes.Find time tonight to come for confessions………St John Parish
Good job Chief. Let them build a hospital, schools and housing for employing before getting land.
32 Nubian Princess,
” Good job Chief. Let them build a hospital, schools and housing for employing before getting land. ”
I agree with the direction, but I don’t think they can build enough schools, bridges, roads to compensate for 500 square kilometers of land (which would be an area of 22km by 22km).
There is no replacement for ownership of these minerals, heavy taxation, and holding the mining companies accountable for labour and environmental standards. Because when they pollute, they are simply shifting the burden of the cleanup onto the Zambian taxpayer – which under neoliberal economics is the worker, through PAYE.
My business is in NWProvince and i see millions flowing around especially among expatriats. The Chief has made very plausable demands unlike GRZ which just wants to get it over with .
#4
wat kind of dam shit is that, i think people are less interested to know that u are a sex worker.
I really expected a 20yr old to know the importance of chiefs, if u are so igorant about reality why even bother to comment here? it seems to me that u have nothin better to do and stand for in ur life
This is very good for a chief!! Well dont just sign things you see,let these mines build good infrastructure,Let Solwezi and other sorrounding areas look nice for anyone who comes from outside to envy.GOOD job, well done Chief.It shows that you are not a selfish chief,you care for your people.
Just finished work, to compare a chief with a Queen is borderline laughable
In the interest of settling this once and for all, I respect the Queen, the Queen is adored by the country and the chief?? laughable isnt it?
Thanks
MUSHOTA
My heart bleeds for you my sister, especially to note that you are feeding your parents S p e r m or c u m stinking money why sink so low any way lets just leave it here bye.
Viva northwestern province Viva!!! Viva mwanta Sailunga.
A mine is not farming where you need 700 hectares. That can make up a country on its own. They only need 20hectares unless they are telling me they dont know where the minerals are lying exactly. know MMD is desperate to raise campaign money they can sell anything. People of Zambia lets work up and do something.
Dear Anne #40:
Unfortunately you and others are unaware of a lot of what is involved in mining, which makes for a debate based only on uninformed feelings. A mine actually needs a lot of ground, because whereas the minerals may lie under 20 hectares, many more hectares are needed to put the waste rock somewhere, dug up from over and around the minerals, to put the tailings pond that holds the leftover water after processing the minerals (maybe 5 kms diameter!), somewhere to dump the ore before it goes into the mill, to build the mill and all the other components of the mine, to have the mine camp, to have the workshops and storage and dump truck parking, etc, etc. So it is many many times the 20 hectares you look at simply, and companies don’t apply and pay for great areas just for…
Another misunderstood aspect in this blog is the financing side. It is easy to say the Lunda people should own and operate a future mine here, but does anyone in the local area have $1 billion to build it? And training the Lunda people will take 10 years for some of the specialised jobs – this is nothing specific to the Lunda and Zambia, the same would be true for country people in Canada or Poland or Uzbekistan or Eritrea, you name it. So it comes down to a compromise – does Zambia want to leave the copper in the ground, or does the country want to share in the extraction? Zambia must get a fair share and lasting benefits like community infrastructure, there everyone is right. But if the deal is not attractive enough to the foreign company (like 40% says #19) it will walk away.
The reality is that at this present time, there is no homegrown Zambian mining company that can spend $1 billion dollars to build the mine we are talking about. Maybe in the next generation, or two, there will be. So it is a valid debate to have, whether Zambia wants to leave the copper in the ground for another 30-50 years until a Zambian company can get it all by themselves, or whether Zambia wants it now, but not with all the profit. Not forgeting, that if mines are not built today by foreign companies, hardly any Zambians will learn the trades and skills required in order to go it alone one day. Such debates about foreign companies taking too many profits from a country go on everywhere around the world, even Australia recently, where there certainly is enough home-grown skill.
Chief Musele should do what he thinks is best for his people, get the best deal he can, but not to the point of chasing away mining companies. They will be there for 20 years at this Trident project, so it is in everyone’s interest to get a satisfying deal for all parties and live side by side as best as possible, if the choice is to keep mining as an intergral part of Zambia’s economy today. The mining company plans the mine and asks for enough surface rights to make it work properly. There is no economic advantage to having more surface rights, as the actual minerals are in one small spot. If Chief Musele wants the mine to go ahead, he must negotiate satisfactory compensation for his people, a school, new houses if they are moved, etc, but not try and reduce the surface rights area.
Kun`ganda mwani amwanta Musele! Well said Senior Chief Musele, please dont change your mind. They can afford to bribe the MMD and not you.
Does any one know the chief’s address so that I get in touch with him. I could help with the interpretation of the Environmenmtal Impact Assessment report and even translate it into a local language like Lunda. Most EIA reports are not worth the paper they are written on.
Thanks for shilling for the mines, Chris/HH Sata/Global Citizaen/etc.
My chief makes me proud. We are the land that we have. 750square ks vonse ivo? Let the land be lease for 30 years and it should be 350square ks! Why does the mine seek so much land? No wonder Bod is busy grabbing back land in Zimbabwe. Does it mean that Zambians can’t learn a lesson from that?
If we had a good number of leaders with the same foresight as displayed by our chief, we would not have had to sign documents blindly and ignorantly. The countries copper mines, our only wealth had been given awaya at a pittance and cost to the entire population because of poor, visionary leadership.
When done Senior Chief Musele and your council of advisers. Avoid repeat of Chief Mukumbi’s mistake where even the current piece of land the palace is owned by Lumwana Mine. There is no need to rush into siggning a document coz by the time you realise that a mistake has been made you will find your pipo being displaced and the only place left for them will be Wamafwaha and the game reserve area bordering Lunga West Game Reserve. As much as we need investors but lets be careful on this matter lets secure the land for the dead, present and future generations. Just across the border in Katanga and Lualaba Provices of DR Congo the Sangas and Ndembus have nothing to boast of all minerals from Kolwezi dont benefit them at.
The Chief and any learned people from that community should insist on the community having shares in these mines. Paying the community off will not compensate for eternal loss of their land. Zambians should be empowered to own shares in these developments whether its mines or pineapple farm/plant. Their contribution/ share is land and everything on it. Anywhere, such developments are identified please insist on local people to be shareholders.
We will move in and advise the Chief. We have more info on what happened when this same coy was chasded from Kolwezi Dr. Congo. Days are gone when a few so called learned guys used to sit on vital info and majority were kept ignorant whilst them and their families got a bigger chunk of benefits and educated their children or clans.
I wish all the chiefs had the same level of intelligence and ability to articulate issues on behalf of their subjects as Chief Musele. In any case, why does FQM want such a large tract of land? I think even 500 sq. km is too much!
Please Chief, scrutinize all the documents and the maps and only give away what is essential for FQM to establish beneficial economic activities. Zambians must not be expropriated of their for the sake of meaningless “economic development”.
I meant to write: “Zambians must not be expropriated of their land for the sake of meaningless “economic development.”.
Dear Chris #41:
Why does that mine have to cover an area equivalent to a circle with a diameter greater than 30 km or a rectangle 10 km by 75 km? I am sure the whole of Lusaka city does not sit on an area that big!
Finally! there is one who has the heart of his people @ HEART. Mwandi ba Chief dont allow them to displace yr pipo. Your friend Chief Nkomeshya is in courts becoz of the same land issue, she also gave up her land. Learn from it!
The Lunda people should immediately setup Lunda mining company that has mining rights to the 750km sq, list on the zambian stock exchange. Then offer a deal to foreign companies – if they train the Lunda so that 100% of the workers are Lunda, and 100% of the equipment manufacturers are Zambian, and 100% of the costs are paid to Zambians before work starts – then foreign companies can buy 5% of the shares of lunda mining company/year – up to 40% max. And Lunda can mine up to 50km2 per year. …most african countries have been selling their resources for 10% of their true cost
Mwanya Bane from Australia (March 17, 2011 at 3:13 pm),
Learn to think before writing. No one “gave” away that 5000 HA to Saudi Arabia. It’s an investment like any other. Besides, what did anyone else do to apply for that same land? What did you do sitting in Australia? A big fat nothing. Now some investor comes, we’ll have jobs, infrastructure, tax revenue, but still, you want to stick in your little brainwashed bubble and whine the moment a foreign investor in mentioned.
And here’s a maths lesson. 5000 hectares is 0.00664% of Zambia’s land. ZERO POINT ZERO ZERO SIX FOUR%! Ok? If you Zambia so much, leave the first world, and come home to make your small difference. Until then, you have no right to bitch and moan about foreign investors.
57 oilthieves,
The Lunda people should immediately setup Lunda mining company that has mining rights to the 750km sq, list on the zambian stock exchange. Then offer a deal to foreign companies – if they train the Lunda so that 100% of the workers are Lunda, and 100% of the equipment manufacturers are Zambian, and 100% of the costs are paid to Zambians before work starts – then foreign companies can buy 5% of the shares of lunda mining company/year …most african countries have been selling their resources for 10% of their true cost ”
Excellent points. Most of the deals done by the GRZ do not take into account local people in a positive way, they are just to enrich national level politicians. Look at ZAMTEL, ZANACO, etc.
Here is one senior Chief worthy of his title. To put it in context, the distance from Chililabombwe to Chingola is 25 km. Now, assuming you guys at LT have reported correctly, FQM want our senior Chief Musele to hand over an area of land 27km by 27km. In other words, that is larger than Singapore, Dominican Republic and larger than 50 other Countries on earth. Your Royal highness, stick to your guns. The best service you can give to our Country is to serve your subjects first and foremost because they are Zambians.
the mine will bring in more positives than negatives. people will be getting jobs and better lives. i have been to the said area and i have not seen any big farms that would make the chief say my people wud be displaced in terms of farm land. you people should go to the same area and see for your self instead of getting one side of the story from the chief. hear from both side and investigate thoroughly before you commend who is hindering development.
You are absolutely right Bizman. Actually this so called Chief Musele is simply retrogresive minded. He is hindering development in his area. People shouldn’t just comment for the sake of commenting. Instead, get real facts from people on the ground. Visit Chief Musele’s palace and see how he is abusing Job sickers from all over Zambia and see for your self how tribalistic this chief is. Job sickers have been subjected to all sorts of manure work, cultivating in his farm, weeding as well as sweeping in his Palace simply to have their names written in the so called Database. With this kind of behaviour you say he is a good chief? Muleikalafye ngatamukwete ifyakuchita.
Ba director of Chikafu good point. you have neva bin on groud to see what is in place and u are busy yaping yaping. the nearest clinic is over 20 kilometers. the is no network as is for cell phones and in this morden world communication is very vital. with the coming in of the mine. clinics will be built and cell phones will come in. banks will also come in. so some one tell the so called sinior Chief Musele stop hindering progress. he is just after personal intrests than the intrests of the people. we are zambians yes. but lets analyse issues propaly before we talk. lets build a better Zambia.
i want this Chief for President!!
Can Zambian politicians learn from this great chief who puts his pipo’s interests 1st instead of his pockets? Tired of these – MAMBALAS.
#64 The Gr8 One- I second that.
Good judgement, because the minerals dug in N/W.P is benefiting most of the big officials in the name of development. Kaonde wajimuka nganyi, good. Atleast you are not just interested in being given tributes by these rich people, but you are thinking of us your people and our well being. Thank Nkambo
Dear Mungoma #55,
RE “Why does that mine have to cover an area equivalent to a circle with a diameter greater than 30 km or a rectangle 10 km by 75 km? I am sure the whole of Lusaka city does not sit on an area that big!”
This is indeed a big area, and I have not seen the public plan so my comments are just informed opinion. Aside from all the items I listed in #41, there are satellite deposits away from the main deposit, and haul roads are needed for the dump trucks to travel between future mining pits. It would be extremely dangerous to have these haul roads going anywhere near villages, and so somehow the surface rights need to encompass all this area needed for infrastructure and connecting roads. This will be an extremely big operation even by Zambian standards.
Dear Oilthieves #57,
In how many generations do you want the mine to start up? The local Lunda people will get many general jobs and some skilled ones, but you want them to have 100% of the jobs including the highly specialised ones. Then you want all the equipment to be manufactured in Zambia. For heaven’s sake, even South Africa and European countries need to import some equipment from other countries, that they can’t or don’t make themselves.Well then, it’ll be Zambians who have to pay themselves 100% of the income. Like I said before, this is a worthwhile eventual goal, but it ain’t gonna happen in the next 20 years even! So think intelligently and realise the path you are arguing for.
Dear Lya #60,
The Dominican Republic is 64 times as big as the land we are talking about. It shares the large island of Hispaniola with Haiti,
The Chief should lease out the land for a set period of say 15 years then renewed
That would ensure a continuous revenue base for the chief and still give him control over his land
If we sale the land we are going back to the colonial days
And to MUSHOTA all countries have traditions and chiefs are a tradition we should keep or we will loose our identity
I wonder what kind of people we are who in DIASPORA-we seem to bark more than we can deliver, our chiefs need wise council of people who defend our birth rights, you will be surprised that by the time you will go back home after working shoddy jobs , u will became vagabond in your country. Stand up against Walmart to those consortium who are stealing Zambian resources.