Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe yesterday met two Civil Society Organizations that petitioned the government over the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Vedanta standoff.
Zambians for Unity, Peace and Democracy and Advocates for National Development and Democracy had petitioned the Mines minister to give the government position regarding the legal standoff between KCM and Vedanta.
Yesterday, Mr. Kabuswe met the two CSO leaders and assured them that the government is seriously looking into the impasse between KCM and Vedanta.
And Advocates for National Development and Democracy Executive Director Samuel Banda says the assurance by the minister is a step in the right direction.
Mr. Banda said Vedanta resources are the legal owners of KCM and that government should handover back the mine to them so that they create business opportunities and employment.
And Zambians for Unity, Peace and Development President Ronnie Jere said following this assurance, government should expedite the process of resolving the differences between KCM and Vedanta so that the continued suffering of people on the Copperbelt are averted.