Edgar Lungu meets Jerabos

Earlier today, I met twenty representatives of small scale miners from the Copperbelt to discuss a wide range of issues pertaining to empowerment of local communities, especially the youths.

I am pleased with the outcome of the meeting particularly with the unanimous voice with which the group has spoken regarding the way forward on the relationship between and among the different interest groups operating at the former mine dumps on the Copperbelt.

I understand that we have foreign investors operating the famous Black Mountain and we have undefined groups doing small scale mining around there. We need to balance the interest of all parties by ensuring that we respect property rights of all parties. My Government will provide the necessary conducive operating environment for both local and foreign investors.

We resolved that all court actions by all parties must be terminated soonest by consent arrangements to allow for the proposed amicable settlement planned for next week to take effect.

Its with no doubt that empowerment of local communities through participation in the mining contracts and fair resource exploitation is a top priority for the #PF Government. The various youth groups will now form a unified cooperative company which Government will grant a large scale mining license under which the commercial interests of the groups will be executed.

I have directed Ministers and technical staff from relevant Ministries and State House to travel to the Copperbelt Province to meet with owners of Nkana Alloys Limited, the majority owners of #BlackMountain to conclude the proposed settlement over the asset.

I thank you!