11 April 2009
THE Government has implored mining companies wishing to move equipment out of the country to engage the ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to avoid being suspected of stripping the assets from the mines.
Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the ministry had offices both in Lusaka and the Copperbelt where such matters could be handled.
"The issue here is that let us be organised and alert. If there is anyone who wants to move equipment let them engage my ministry either on the Copperbelt or Lusaka," Mr Mwale said.
Mr Mwale was reacting to impounding by the police in Kitwe of three trucks carrying mining equipment suspected to have been stripped from Mindolo Shaft of Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) and destined for South Africa.
Mr Mwale said investors were free to operate in any way they so wished in the country but should not alarm the Government of possible stripping of mining equipment.
He said the Government had given 25 per cent capital allowance of bringing mining equipment for free, hence they should be left to Zambians because the investor did not pay for bringing the equipment.
Mr Mwale said the contractor, Master Drill, contracted by MCM, was moving equipment innocently but the mining company alarmed the country by not engaging the Government on the shifting of the materials.
"We are just alert to any stripping of mining equipment that is why you saw that action by the police and the Copperbelt minister (Mwansa Mbulakulima)," he said.
Mr Mwale called on everyone to be alert and cautious of any suspicious movements of mining equipment saying the move would benefit maintenance of the status of the mines.
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