Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says Government is closely monitoring the happenings at Lumwana Copper Mines in North Western Province following the disclosure by owner Barrick Gold that the mine is up for sale.
Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka Star, Mr. Musukwa said that Government has engaged Lumwana Copper Mines management and the board to ensure that there are no short cuts in the pending sale-off process.
Mr. Musukwa has however said that Government through Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holding (ZCCM-IH) is looking into the possibility of getting shares in the said mines, though the road map has not yet been unveiled by the mother company, Barrick Gold.
And the Minister has reassured the people of Zambia not to worry as his Ministry is monitoring the situation at Lumwana.
Meanwhile, Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe has advised the Zambian Government to quickly rethink the model of running the mines if the country is to benefit from the mineral wealth.
Mr. Chewe noted that with the pending sell of the mining firm, over 2,000 mineworkers risk losing their job through this move by Lumwana.
MUZ President has since asked Lumwana Copper Mines to prioritize mine workers’ plight in the process of letting off the mine.