KCM allays fears of job losses at Nchanga smelter

Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has allayed fears that the announced shutdown of the Nchanga Smelter will result in massive job losses.

Chief Executive Officer Steven Din says KCM will maintain all the existing 500 permanent jobs and create 200 more temporal jobs during the period of the shutdown.

Mr. Din made the announcement on Saturday yesterday when Copperbelt Province Minister Bowman Lusambo visited the plant on a fact finding mission.

He explains that the shutdown of Nchanga Smelter is thus only meant to bring about increased efficiency in mine operation once a new plant has been constructed.

Mr. Din notes that his company will engage among other government departments, The Ministry of Mines during the period of the shutdown

And Copperbelt Minister Bowman Lusambo told Mr. Din that government is interested in a win-win investment partnership for the mining sector.

Mr. Lusambo says this is why he was compelled to swiftly tour the smelter plant to get first-hand information on the state of affairs at the facility.

He states that the tour was also meant to deliver a message from President Edgar Lungu that the PF government is committed to protecting the interests of Zambians as it engages with investors.

Mr Lusambo says government is therefore concerned that KCM has now started delaying in paying monthly salaries to its workers.