Vedanta Resources Limited has praised Republican President Hakainde Hichilema and his New Dawn administration for their commitment and guidance in the process to reviving Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) back to its full operations.
After years of continuous legal battles with the previous Patriotic Front (PF) regime, President Hichilema is today officially handing over KCM back to Vedanta to signal the revival of the mine.
Speaking when he received the Head of State and other government officials in Chililabombwe today, Vedanta CEO Chris Griffith expressed his gratitude on behalf of his firm to President Hichilema and his Cabinet Ministers for showing exemplary leadership towards the revival of KCM after a lengthy process and several challenges encountered.
“For various reasons over the last years we haven’t been able to realize our great potential but Mr President with your leadership and the leadership of many of the ministers in your cabinet we’ve been able to overcome the many challenges that we had,” Griffith said.
Griffith also affirmed Vedanta’s commitment to ensuring KCM is revitalized with the anticipated US$1 billion investment and beyond.
“We sit here today for what I think is a momentous occasion. It is an occasion where Vedanta has pledged to invest over a billion dollars but I think the real positiveness is the full commitment that Vedanta has pledged and I speak on behalf of the Chairman Mr Anil Agrawal who has sent his blessings and he is also positive about our relations,” Griffith said.
“We are really at the start of a new dawn for KCM and I think once again I just wish to thank you for your personal leadership and the personal leadership of your ministers because this is ultimately going to benefit the Zambians.”
Griffith further disclosed that Vedanta was dedicated to oversee President Hichilema’s vision for KCM to increase its Copper production to maximize the mine’s capacity thereby creating more jobs and significantly contribute to the nation’s economy.
“This also forms part of your personal vision to bring 3 million tonnes of Copper production and I think KCM will follow into that puzzle and that ultimately is going to be truly beneficial for employment, suppliers and to Zambians in general,” he said.
