Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has handed over the famous black
mountain, a mineral rich slag dumb of mining waste from the previous ZCCM
mining days situated in Nkana, Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province of Zambia. In
his statement, President Hichilema said the site has been given to three groups
who have been given licenses to operate and these includes a Consortium of
cooperatives representing all the 10 districts of the Copperbelt province,
Women in Mining and the Community that hosts the black mountain.
Below is the President’s statement on the handover of the Black Mountain:
“My fellow citizens, The new dawn government is committed to improving
the lives of the Zambian people by reviving the economy and bringing about
inclusive development. Our government appreciates the enormous value and great
potential of the mining sector, and its ability to be a major factor in our
country’s economic transformation.
Now is the time to bring about sanity in the mining sector, that has
been ravaged by greed, corruption and unscrupulous practices by certain
investors and those charged with governance. When we said it was time for
change, we meant it and we intend to ensure that we work towards achieving the
bold vision of annual copper production of three million metric tonnes and most
importantly, the inclusion of Zambians in this incredible growth story.
Our women, youth and the communities in which mining operations are
based, are highly expectant and deserve to be included in various aspects of
the mining industry’s supply chain.
In an effort to empower Zambians, our government has decided to make
available part of the black mountain in Kitwe.
Following consultation and due diligence, we are officially handing over part of the slag dump to cooperatives owned by Zambian youth and women, who have been granted licenses to operate.
The beneficiaries include:
I. Consortium of cooperatives representing all the 10 districts of the
Copperbelt province:
II. Women in Mining;
III. Community hosting the black mountain
Fellow citizens, We promised the people of the Copperbelt better
circumstances where they will have access to support that will enable them to
be active participants in the mining sector.
We are pleased to announce that contracts have since been signed between
the beneficiaries and the identified mining operators with the necessary
equipment and qualified staff who have already undergone safety training.
We promised to assist our people by enabling access to markets and in
doing so, ten different companies have been identified as off-takers of the
material from the black mountain. Youth and women cooperatives will soon
realise monetary benefits from the mineral sales that they will have complete
control over.
Further, in order to support specific youth groups, a revolving fund has
been created under the district commissioner’s office and a committee has since
been formed to manage the fund with strict fund management and accountability
guidelines.
By products from the production process will be used for the production
of concrete and pavers for townships roads.
Fellow citizens, you can be assured of our care for the welfare of our
people and know that the change that you voted for will bring about better days
for you and your families. God bless you and god bless Zambia. I thank you."
Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia
By ARNBETHNIC
Source: https://copperbeltkatangamining.com/zambias-president-hands-over-the-black-mountain-to-coorperative-women-in-mining-and-the-host-community/