1,400 jobs cut at Kalumbila

1 ,480 construction workers at Kalumbila minerals limited are likely to lose their jobs due to the reduction in electricity supply to the sentinel copper mine.

Kalumbila Minerals Limited Public Relations Coordinator Mirriam Harmon says the cutting of Power supply to the mining firm from the original supply of 1-hundred and 30 megawatts to only 42 megawatts has negatively affected the operations at the mine.

Ms Harmon has told ZNBC News in a statement that operations at the plant need enough electricity to operate fully but the current supply is not sufficient for copper production.

She noted that in order to protect the business, the Mine will start aggressive cost cutting measures such halting of the recruitment of 350 new jobs.

Ms Harmon says both local and expatriates are likely to lose their jobs.

She also however stated that the mining firm has continued basic operations though it has halted copper production because it is not viable due to the power supply restriction.

Ms Harmon disclosed that the sentinel process plant has been closed from Monday and will only re-open once there is enough power supply.

On Friday Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma assured the Nation that the mines will not be affected by current load shedding.

Mr. Yaluma said ZESCO or the Copperbelt Energy Corporation -CEC- will not reduce power supplier to the mines.

The Minister said this is because the mines are critical to the country’s economy.

Times of Zambia