• There is still production going on at KCM
• Konkola mine is currently operating and there are no plans to put it on care and maintenance.
• KCM is about to commence mining in a new area of Konkola known as Konkola East.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has refuted a story published by Bloomberg where he has been quoted saying government has shut down Konkola Deep Mine due to lack of cash.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Barnaby Mulenga said the News agency has completely misquoted him as the Mine has not been closed.
Mr. Mulenga stated that the reporter has made assertions that there is low production at the Mine, when operations are in full capacity.
“That reporter has completely misquoted me, he actually called to ask about the Indaba and I told him what the outcome was then he wanted to make an assertion that there is reduced production at KCM I then told him to call me later for me to give him production figures of what is being produced at the moment in Chililabombwe from KCM and what is being produced from Nchanga.”
“I don’t remember getting a call from him the next thing this morning is that there is a story from Bloomberg claiming that this project has been closed because of lack of money. He has completely misquoted me. What the issue he was trying to confuse over was the fact that he was making reference to Konkola Deep Mining project which is completely different. And I was telling there is still production going on at KCM and he was supposed to follow up to get the actual production figures, that story has no truth to it,” Mr. Mulenga stated.
Mr. Mulenga said production at KCM in the first Quarter was 14,898.61 tonnes which clearly shows that Production has continued.
“At no point has the Ministry ever said production was shut before and after the liquidation process. Bloomberg must retract the false story that misleads the public into thinking KCM operations are shut or halted until the arbitration is completed,” he ordered.
Meanwhile, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) General Manager for Corporate Affairs Shapi Shachinda has also demanded a retraction of what he terms as a misleading article.
In a statement, Mr. Shachinda stated that since the mine was placed under liquidation in May 2019, it has not been closed or put on care and maintenance.
“Konkola mine is currently operating and there are no plans to put it on care and maintenance now or in the future. Placing a mine under care and maintenance is a public and legally prescribed procedure. This procedure had not been invoked and we have no plans to invoke it.”
“To the contrary and in addition to current operations KCM is about to commence mining in a new area of Konkola known as Konkola East. The favorable prices have made it economical to open up new areas,” Mr. Shachinda said.