Mwinilunga Member of Parliament Newton Samakayi has welcomed the decision by government to suspend operations at Kansenseli gold mine in Mwinilunga.
Yesterday, Mines and Mineral Development minister Paul Kabuswe announced the suspension of operations at the famous gold mine.
Reacting to the development, Mr Samakayi said the move is long overdue saying the decision is commendable.
He said from inception, one could tell that the operations would not be so beneficial because the manner which the operations where being done.
“For me as area Member of Parliament, am happy that government has taken such a stance because thats what i have been advocating for,” said Mr Samakayi.
He said it is unfortunate that his calls and those of other stakeholders landed deaf ears which has resulted in the loss of both lives and minerals.
He has however cautioned government not to blind the people of Mwinilunga by announcing the suspension of operations but do the right thing.
He called on government to carryout an audit and establish how much gold production was done and if all gold mined was sold to the Bank of Zambia during the suspension period.
He has further called on government to use this period to look for a viable investor with enough funds to inject in the project.
“What people want is a viable investor with adequate resources to invest in the project so that the local people can start seeing the benefits of having a mine in the area, “he said.
He said every mining operation comes with various challenges due to the influx of the people which to some extent needs to be addressed by the investor,
He has advised the people of Mwinilunga to cooperate with government during the suspension period.
He said people should not now take advantage of the development and take the law in their own hands.
“People should be on a look out and ensure that they protect the resource. We don’t want those charged with the responsibility to protect the resource to be ones dipping their fingers in that resource, ” he said.
