President Hichilema has punched holes in the often-used excuse by mine owners that local people lack the skills required to work in or do business with the mines.
Hichilema, who just concluded a mine re-opening “spree” in North-Western Province, said during the re-opening of Kasenseli gold mine in Mwinilunga that he had ensured no one considers the local people uneducated or unskilled.
“If they don’t have the skills required to mine here, Kasenseli must give them the skills. They must train them so that they can work in this mine,” he stated.
Asserting that his government was walking the talk and delivering in three years what other governments before failed to do, Hichilema asked for patience from the people as his government navigated the poor economy it inherited and a severe drought suffered this year.
Speaking a day later on November 18 at another reopening of a mine that has lain dormant for 46 years, Hichilema declared that he would not allow people to continue living in poverty while they sit on mineral wealth.
Located in Mufumbwe, Kalengwa mine has been closed, unproductive, and inoperable for nearly five decades but is now expected to begin contributing to Zambia’s production target from early next year, with an initial investment of US$20 million.
The head of state urged the local people of Mufumbwe to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the mine, assuring them of support from the mine’s management in terms of business opportunities. He also ordered that the young people who discovered the gold deposits at the mine should be compensated.
Hichilema strongly cautioned the people against theft and dishonesty in supplying goods and services to the mines and not to supply “air”.
He also commended the people for resiliently protecting Kalengwa mine during its lengthy years of inactivity, hailing it as a testament to their dedication to preserving their natural resources.
North-Western is experiencing a boom and resurge in mining investment and with the reopening of Kasenseli and Kalengwa, the province has five key operating mines.
