State pleased with investment into LCM
State pleased with investment into LCM - By NKWETO MFULA - 10 December 2009
GOVERNMENT says it is pleased with the huge investment that China Non-ferrous Mining Company (CNMC) has made in Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) and that this has proved those who criticise Chinese investment wrong.
And CNMC says it has invested US$30 million in LCM and will next year invest another US$150 million.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Maxwell Mwale said this in Luanshya yesterday during a conducted tour to check on the progress that CNMC has made after taking over LCM from Enya Holdings BV.
He said the technology that CNMC is applying is of high standard.
Mr Mwale was happy that the CNMC has employed 2,250 workers.
He said the employment levels at LCM are impressive and that this has improved the economy of Luanshya.
Mr Mwale said some critics argued that CNMC would not manage such kind of mining investment.
Mr Mwale was accompanied by Minister of Labour and Social Security Austin Liato and Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima.
And CNMC chief executive officer Luo Xingeng said the rehabilitation programme for the mine is on course.
Mr Luo said CNMC has so far invested US$30 million in the mine and will by the end of this year invest US$42 million.
Mr Luo said a lot of equipment is obsolete and that CNMC is doing everything possible to renovate and replace some of the old machinery.
Meanwhile, Government has warned that it will not allow multinational companies setting up companies in Zambia to reject workers’ rights of belonging to trade unions of their choice.
Mr Liato said stopping workers to belong to a union of their choice is infringing on the labour laws.
“If employers happen to stop their employees from joining a union, it means they are infringing on the International Labour Organisation and the Zambian law,” Mr Liato said.
He said stopping workers from belonging to unions can result in riotous behaviour when there is a general complaint from workers.
Mr Liato said it is important that employees observe rules and regulations of the firms they work for.
“If you infringe the laws that govern society, the law will take its course,” he said.
from < http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/media/news/ ... 1260426538 >
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