Govt awaits report on Mopani’s plan to cancel orders

SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes
@sunzambian
GOVERNMENT has expressed ignorance over the reported plans by Mopani Copper Mine to cancel orders
worth about $10 million for local suppliers.
The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractors said the mining firm had communicated its intention to
cancel orders, citing the Covid-19 dynamics.
The mining giant in May this year cancelled another set of orders that were made to the suppliers and
Contractors.
But Ministry of Mines and Minerals development Permanent Secretary, Barnaby Mulenga, said he would
not comment on the matter as he did not have details on the matter.
“We are waiting for the association of mine suppliers and Contractors to give a detailed report on the
matter because the mine has disputed that it plans to cancel orders worth $10 million,” he said.
But association president Augustine Mubanga maintained that it would be unfortunate should the plan be
effected, stating that people had already committed their resources.On Wednesday, Kitwe District Commissioner Chileshe Bweupe warned that Government would not let the
mine go ahead with the plan that would cause poverty for the people of Zambia.
Mr Bweupe said that what the mining firm was planning to do was economic sabotage and would not be
taken lightly.