Lungu reopens Column Coal Mine

President Lungu has today officially reopened Column Coal Mine in Sinazongwe which was shut down in 2013 for breach of safety and labour laws.

Speaking during the reopening of the mine, President Lungu says the reopening of the mine will benefit many households as well as the nation.

He has however, urged the mine management to make sure that all the safety measures are in place before production commences, adding that safety issues should also extend to the workers.

QFM’s Lusa Kilale reports that President Lungu said that he has taken a personal risk by deciding to reopen the mine and that if anything goes wrong, it will be on him.

He has warned the mine management that if they do not cooperate, government will grab the mine again.

President Lungu has further urged the mine management to involve the people of Sinzongwe so that they feel the benefit.

And Column Coal Mine management has pledged to invest US$40 million dollars in the mine in four years.

Speaking earlier, Area Member of Parliament Richwell Siamunene says the opening of the mine will create jobs for the people of Zambia which in turn will contribute to national development.

Mr. Siamunene says he has no doubt that the mine will operate under the laid down rules and will not be harmful to the people but will benefit the people of Sinazongwe and the Zambians at large.

And speaking earlier when he paid a courtesy call on traditional leaders in Sinazongwe, President Lungu assured the traditional leaders that he will not be looking at the voting patterns in the January 20th presidential election in developing the country, but will touch all the needy areas.

President Lungu says he wants to uplift the lives of the people of Zambia who are still wallowing in poverty and lagging behind.

He stresses that he wants all Zambians to enjoy the basic necessities of life and feel that they belong to Zambia.

And speaking on behalf of the Southern province traditional leadership, Chief Chikanta of Kalomo district encouraged President Lungu to interact with traditional leaders in the country, stating that traditional leaders are partners in development.

Chief Chikanta stated that that as chiefs, they stand ready to work with the president for him to effectively deliver.