Farmers in North-west cry foul as FQM explores copper ores on their land

A wrangle is emanate in Kainafumu Resettlement Scheme in Solwezi East were government has demarcated 9000 farm plots to resettle farmers and the First Quantum Mining (FQM) has started mining exploration on the same piece of land.

The mining explorations have been authorized by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development.

The mining exploration exercise may displace farmers in an event that copper ores is found in the resettlement area.

The office of the vice president had earlier designated the 14,000 hectares of land as a resettlement scheme and approved the demarcation of 9,000 farm plots in the area.  

Kainamfumu resettlement scheme committee chairperson John Kamwanga said the fear of farmers is that they will be evicted from the land should copper ores be found in the area.

Mr Kamwanga also complained that exploration activities by FQM have damaged the road that government rehabilitated and this will affect the transportation of agricultural inputs in the resettlement.

And Campsite Supervisor Daniel Saji confirmed that FQM started the explorations in March this year when North-western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga visited the area.

Mr Malupenga assured the farmers that his office will engage the parties involved so that an amicable solution is found because the matter is between government institutions.

Government has already completed the construction of the health post and staff houses at a cost k300, 000 in the resettlement as part of its programme to provide basic services to the farmers.

FQM is a company running the mining operations at Kansanshi mine.