ZAMBIA: Nkana Smelter closed

The remaining six workers would be maintained during the care and maintenance of the smelter.

KCM human resources manager, Susan Ziko, circulated the termination
letters dated February 18, 2009 to affected workers yesterday.

The notice of redundancy obtained by the Daily Mail in Kitwe says the
company was restructuring its operations to ensure its future viability.

Following the restructuring, we regret to inform you that your
services with the company are no longer required. The company hereby
gives you one month notice and your last shift will be on March 20,
2009.

Your redundancy package with KCM Plc will be calculated as follows:
Two months pay for each completed year of service on pro-rata basis.

We also wish to advice you that it is a requirement for you to undergo
the exit medical examination at the occupation health centre or any
mine hospital, the letters read in part.

KCM management recently commissioned a new smelter at Nchanga Mine in Chingola.

National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) president, Mundia
Sikufele, expressed disappointment that KCM had declared workers
redundant when talks of continued operations were still going on.

Mr Sikufele argued that the KCM smelter was still viable and that all
the company needed to do was to sell it to another investor and
maintain the workforce.

He urged Government to ensure that an investor was found to run the Nkana Smelter since the facility was still viable.

Mr Sikufele said Nkana Smelter should not be allowed to die because that would mean sending more people onto the streets.

Meanwhile, Government says there is adequate security to guard and secure assets at Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM).

And LCM chief executive officer, Derek Webstock, says management has
been monitoring care and maintenance activities to ensure that the mine
was not flooded.

Minister of Home Affairs Kalombo Mwansa said in Luanshya yesterday that
31 police officers had been deployed to guard property at Baluba Mine.

He said police was supplementing the 225 private security personnel engaged by LCM.

The security arrangement system is enough to guard equipment at LCM premises, he said.

Dr Mwansa said there had been three cases of theft at Baluba Mine adding that in one case, property was recovered by police.

He said three people were arrested and were in custody awaiting trial.

Dr Mwansa appealed to the people in Luanshya to remain calm as
Government was doing everything possible to ensure that the mine
reopened.

The minister, who toured the mine premises to check on security, held a closed-door meeting with former union leaders.

He said issues of LCM had legal implications that needed to be resolved by Government and concerned parties.

And Mr Webstock said the mine's shareholders were open to discussions with would-be investors of Baluba Mine.

Earlier, Dr Mwansa paid a courtesy call on newly-appointed Copperbelt Province permanent secretary, Villie Lombanya.

Dr Mwansa said Government had put in place ideal investment policies to enhance the flow of investment into the country.

He said mining was an important sector in the country's economic growth.

Despite diversification, mining still remains the mainstay of the economy, he said.

And Mr Lombanya said when political will was absent, it was difficult to develop.

He commended Government for being proactive to the problems at LCM.