Mines and Mineral Development minister Paul Kabuswe has disclosed that government intends to restructure Kansenseli gold mine in Mwinilunga district of North western province in order to make it beneficial to the country.
Mr. Kabuswe states that the restructuring process will be in line with its acceptability to the community.
The mines minister said this is because the mining firm has lost the social license with the local people.
He said the local people have lost trust and confidence in the company hence the Incertitude which has become synonymous with the mining operation.
He revealed that in the restructuring process, government is engaging all stakeholders such as traditional leaders, the local community and the company operating the mine in order to redress the illegality which is festering in the mining community.
He stated that what created the illegality which led to the suspension of the mining operations is the mistrust between the community and the company operating the mine.
He said the consensus among the community is that they are not getting adequate benefit from the natural resource.
“And what are now bringing to the table as government through my ministry is to begin to engage all stakeholders so they we create a win – win situation for both parties,” said Mr. Kabuswe.
The mines minister was speaking when he featured on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview program.
He stated that most mining firms in the country both large, medium and small must start respecting social licenses they have with host communities.
He said this because most mining firms do not care about communities hosting them by carrying various corporate social responsibility programs hence the confusion.
He said what most companies are doing is to go into a community and straight away start mining operations.
“And this we are discouraging and we are saying the social licenses must be respected because it is as important as a mining license,” he said.
He revealed that most mining firms have lost their trust with the communities, and this Mr. Kabuswe said is at promoting lawlessness and anarchy.
“And the only way this can be brought to an end is by the mining forms to start respecting social licenses,” he added.
