. Mumba

By SYLVESTER MWALE –

MMD president Nevers Mumba says he will re-enter into negotiations with Barrick Gold to prevent the closure of the Lumwana Mine once elected president during next month’s elections.

Barrick Gold, the owners of Lumwana Mine have threatened to close the mine in North-Western following the decision by the Government to increase mineral royalty tax from six to 20 per cent in the 2015 national budget.

However, Dr Mumba through his spokesperson Raphael Nakachinda has asked the mining giant to wait until the 2015 polls because he would be able to negotiate for a win-win situation.

“My position is on the basis that I was actively involved in negotiating for this investment during my time as Zambia’s High Commissioner in Canada and I am aware about the implications that would come with the closure.

“Barrick Gold was engaged under my watch, it is an investment that is worth over US $10 billion, and I want to urge Barrick Gold to wait because once we win, we will renegotiate to find a win-win situation,” Dr Mumba said.

He noted that the closure of Lumwana Mine could affect other investments while potential investors would shun away from opening up new ventures in Zambia.

Dr Mumba said apart from job losses at the mine, the closure would also affect other companies that were associated with the mining giant.

Meanwhile, Mr Nakachinda said Dr Mumba will not take disciplinary action against some senior party officials that have resolved to back a different candidate even when they had their candidate.

Mr Nakachinda said the MMD leader was currently preoccupied with campaigns and matters involving ‘rebel’ MPs was being handled by the party leadership.

The MMD leader has been conducting his campaigns in Mwinilunga, Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma in North-Western Province ahead of the polls on January , 20, 2015.