By SYLVIA MWEETWA & JANE MWANSA –

.Kampyongo

HOME Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has said he expects order to return to the disputed Kitwe copper slag dump, commonly known as the ‘Black Mountain’ after the Government’s decision to regularise the operations of the so-called jerabos.
Mr Kampyongo said that he expected the controversy over ownership of the slag dump to be resolved in the next two weeks and warned that acts of lawlessness by the jerabos or any other parties with a claim to the site would not be entertained.
Jerabos are gangs of youths who forage for copper waste in the dumpsites and then sell it on to nondescript companies that own mini-smelters for processing.
Meanwhile, Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says the Government is happy that Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) has commenced the process of recalling scores of retrenched miners.
Speaking in Kitwe when he featured on Yah FM Radio programme yesterday, Mr Musukwa said he was happy that the mining firm was recalling workers following discussions with the Government.
The minister said the Government valued the partnership with Mopani and other mining firms and called for continued dialogue on various matters.
Mr Musukwa said his ministry would ensure that all the workers that were laid off two years ago were recalled so that they could continue to contribute to the country’s development.
The  minister further appealed to mining firms in Zambia to seriously consider prioritising awarding of  contracts  to  local suppliers in  line with President Edgar Lungu’s directive.
“We would like to see  a situation where mining firms award contracts to local suppliers and make them succeed and not to enjoy seeing them fail. That should not be. We want to see oneness in the manner things are done,” he said.
Mr Musukwa further urged Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) to find a way of resolving issues of outsourcing as well as foreign expatriates in line with the guidelines following closed-door discussions held with the mining firm at the weekend.
He appealed KCM and mines workers unions to find ways of resolving misunderstanding before considering going to  court for the  benefit of both  parties.
Mr Musukwa further called on all mining firms on the Copperbelt to participate in carrying out community social responsibilities in their respective areas of operation.
And Mr Kampyongo said the government was  happy that it had concluded  discussions following meetings with parties involved at the controversial Kitwe slag dump more popularly known as Black Mountain and  was confident that  the matter would be  put  to rest soon.
He called on the local leadership to ensure that they monitored how business was conducted between the small scale miners and Nkana Alloy under the new legal framework.
“The jerabos will be recognised as legal entities in the mining industry and they will be given licences to start mining operations at Nkana Alloy. And as Government we do not expect any confusion or lawlessness at the site,” he said.
And Mr Kampyongo said calls for impeachment of President Lungu by  some people was a non starter and that it was been done by power angry people whose sole interest was to rule the country.
He said the Government was determined to make it and ensure lives of ordinary people were changed and would not waste time on detractors.
And  Presidential  and Affairs  Minister Freedom Sikazwe reaffirmed the  government’s  commitment to  addressing challenges faced by traders and other ordinary as his government regards them as partners  of development.
Meanwhile Wusakile Area Member of Parliament (MP) Pavyuma Kalobo urged the jerabos miners to ensure they maintain peace and refrain from coming in conflict with the law.
Mr Kampyongo was leading a team of ministers in Kitwe and Chingola and held meetings with various stakeholders  including  mining firms.