By CHATULA KAMPO-
KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has established a new dumpsite at OB 26 area in Chingola in its expansion of mining activities.
KCM public relations and communications manager Shapi Shachinda said in a statement that the mining company had set the OB 26 in Chabanyama area in Chingola as a dump site.
He said the company would provide support to the people in area whose farming activities would be affected after the setting up of dump site.
Mr Shachinda said the company had paid out K588,000 to all the 402 affected people after mutually agreeing on the assistance, following discussions which also involved Chingola District Commissioner George Sichula.
“KCM is deeply concerned with encroachments on its mining area and has since intensified patrols to ensure that no fresh encroachment occurs. The company advises residents around mining areas to avoid conducting any activity on mining land as this is against mining regulations and it also leads to unnecessary inconveniences to parties involved,” he said.
And the Chingola District Commissioner said Government was happy with the decision that the mining company had made in its expansion programme.
“We appreciate what KCM has done. It is common sense that none of those people could have produced an offer letter from the council or title deed if asked to do so, but KCM has put up a human face. We really appreciate that they have sorted out a matter that has been hanging for four years,” he said.
He urged the residents in the area to desist from carrying out illegal farming activities on the mining area.
And a beneficially, Rodwell Wamunyima, 86, commended KCM for compensating them after displacing them from the area.