By DELPHINE ZULU –

THE Lusaka High Court has granted an order for leave to start judicial review proceedings against Government’s decision to give the slug dump in Kitwe’s Wusakile area popularly known as Black Mountain to Zambian youths.
High Court Judge Florence Lengalenga ruled that the Dong Yugang was free to apply for judicial review of the decision by Director of Mines to issue a default notice to the applicant by letter dated February 26, this year.
The applicant was being threatened by Nkana Alloy Smelting Company Limited with cancellation of their Large Scale Mining Licence referred to as ‘Black Mountain’ in Kitwe.
Dong Yugang, a Chinese firm recently dragged the Director of Mines and Nkana Alloy Smelting Company Limited to court seeking it to quash Government’s decision to give the Black Mountain to youths in Kitwe.
The complainant was asking the court to review Government’s decision to issue an authorisation letter and mining licence to Rebound Investment Limited over the ‘Black Mountain’.
“It is hereby Ordered that the applicant be at liberty to apply for judicial review of the decision by Director of Mines to issue a default notice to the applicant by letter dated February 26 this year, threatening cancellation of their Large Scale Mining Licence referred to as ‘Black Mountain’, Ms Justice Lengalenga said.
The applicant further stated that after its incorporation, it was successfully registered as an investor by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) on March 5, 2013 and bought the ‘Black Mountain’ at K19,320.000.
Dong Yugang indicated that the conveyance from Chambishi Metals Plc to the Chinese Company was also successfully done and obtained a certificate of title from the Ministry of Lands in respect of the Black Mountain.
The Chinese company wants the court to rule in their favour claiming the mine belonged to it because it followed the procedure.
The matter has been adjourned to May 5, this year for ex-party hearing.