The Government of Zambia: An Accessory to Lies by Investors?

His Royal Highness Chief Sokoongo goes through the report shortly after it was presented to him at his Palace. PHOTO/ER

The Council of Churches in Zambia have embarked on a campaign which interrogates whether Zambia has reached the time to mine and Mill Uranium Ores which by and large has drawn much interest in the public domain. Since the launch of the report titled “Prosperity unto Death: Is Zambia ready for Uranium Mining?” the government of the republic of Zambia has taken sides with the investors who are in literal manner lying to the people on the dangers imposed and which the people of Zambia in the areas earmarked for and where such activities have begun will and are exposed to...

Accessory to Lies 

The behaviour the Ministry of Mines seems to have turned out as the big PR wing of these mining companies. In the recent past, the Government of the Republic of Zambia the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines’ office have rained ‘hail-storm’ on the information dissemination on the findings of the report to the point of threatening officers at the Council of Churches in Zambia.

Yesterday, the Minister assured the Equinox group that their investment is safe in Zambia, but does not worry about the safety of his country men and women being exposed to the radiation that will result from these mining and processing activities. 

Who tells a Lie?

Yesterday's Post Newspaper (one of the local Newspapers) entitled Equinox president notes misinformation on uranium mining attributed to Graig Williams, the president of Equinox Minerals Limited leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the issues attributed to Graig Williams include statements like... "Mining uranium was not dangerous to the country’s environment or people living near the mine." 

This is the same statement that was made in their bulletin, which forms one appendix of the report. 

If indeed this were the case, why would the country have bothered to try and go out of its way (which it did not successfully manage to) to try and abide by the rigorous International Atomic Energy Agency's stipulations?

Williams goes further and says, “We have recently heard in Zambia that mining uranium is dangerous… the fact is that the level of uranium we are mining is very low and so, environmental, health and safety risk is very low and we have very rigorous programme in place to ensure the safety of our people and the community. That is not an issue,” said Williams.

Reality and Lies

If you visit their web site on http://www.equinoxminerals.com/Development/Lumwana-Project, you'll see that they are talking of high-grade uranium at 1,000 ppm. 

Now ask Williams or any staff from the Ministry of Mines what levels of uranium are referred to as low-grade(?). Some extracts from the site are pasted below:  Lumwana Overview – Mining  during 2009 totals mine material moved was 81.2 million dry metric tonnes. 

The strip ratio averaged 5.2:1 and 13.1 million tonnes of ore were mined at an average head grade of 0.95% copper. Mining and stockpiling of uranium mineralization continued throughout the year. 

At year end the uranium ore stockpile on the ROM pad was approximately 2.5 million tonnes of 1,000ppm uranium and 0.8% copper.

Equinox & Zambian Uranium Mining Venture

In 2008, Equinox completed a uranium feasibility study (UFS) investigating the onsite treatment of discrete, high grade uranium mineralization contained within the Lumwana mine copper pitshells. 

The UFS confirmed the potential viability of onsite uranium treatment, producing about 2 million pounds of uranium per year over a six to seven year period (End of Extract).

Williams further alleges “I think there has been a campaign of disinformation on uranium that is not based on fact. The fact is that we have gone through a vigorous environmental approval by Environmental Council of Zambia and we have applied international standards and our project has got all that.”

Insulting Zambians

Such statements are insulting to the Zambian people. The government of the day is playing along as oblivious as can be which raises a number of concerns. The most interesting thing is that the same company, Equinox Mines started stockpiling of Uranium Ore two years even before the legal instrument [which does not ensure protection of persons] was in place.

What criteria was used to allow them continue with this activity when there were no policies in place to ensure the safety of workers, leave alone the safety of the community members? The story have been told for a long time that transportation of Uranium has to be done under strict oversight, if Copper transported down-south is mixed with radioactive minerals yet transported unsealed – what untold dangers are we supposed to speculate people are exposed to?

Even the Environmental Council of Zambia - ECZ, to who reference has been made; do not have such information of very high grade uranium (of 1,000 ppm). But if they do then to stand the test of time; they must show it to the public, particularly to the persons who are interested in the truth to see that ECZ is well equipped to handle this kind of mining and the eventualities.

This grade is TOO HIGH to treat the issue of stock-piled uranium so casually..!

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Canadian Envoys to Kenya & Tanzania: Uninformed or Arrogant?

WE HEAR YOU: Mines Ministers, representatives from mineral ministries, chamber of minerals and civil society organisations listening to the speakers at the African Mining Partnership in Cape Town - February 2010. PHOTO/ER

BADLY-INFORMED Diplomats! This is the only word – compound word I could find to describe ho w I felt when I read the press statement issued by the two Canadian High Commissioners in Kenya and Tanzania respectively.

The press release was issued to counter the article that appeared on the East African, 1^st to 7^th March 2010 issue. The article in question addressed a number of issues that have been reported in the past with relations to Canadian extractive industry operating abroad.

Diplomatic ignorance on issues

Titled, “Canadian firms dominate mining activities in Africa – and have a bad human rights record” and quoting issues on the ground in British Columbia, Zambia, DRC, Kenya and Tanzania highlighting the escalating levels of gross human rights violations.

The critics of this excellent article said, "We feel that the article drew some erroneous conclusions based on false or partial information. We would like to make it clear that Canada’s commercial priority is to attract investors into the country through a number of fiscal measures.

There is, however, no specific policy that encourages Canadian mining companies to invest abroad as the article insinuated. Further, the Canadian government supports transparency and welcomes independent investigations of mining companies’ activities.”

Focusing on the highlights of some of the atrocities that have been named after the Canadian Extractive Industry abroad particularly in East and Central Africa; I would add my voice on the same on even more serious cases in Papua New Guinea, Honduras, Guatemala and other countries which I will not mention to save the space!

Canada have for decades now been spitting right on the face of local communities under the same old facade of “Canadian mining activities in Africa (are) a force for good.”

 

This statement in itself shows how misinformed the two diplomats sent to the East African countries are to the specific social, economic and environmental needs of community members where multinational investments in the mining sector from Canada are hosted in African countries.

 

Diplomatic arrogance

The ‘force for good’ being talked about here does not take into consideration the containers belonging to Barrick Gold Corporation that were held for days at the Mwanza Airport – Tanzania after being found to carry illegal weapons being transported to the embattled North Mara Mines. This dies a forced death as usual and I do not fear speculating that the same tactics that have stalled the discussions on the new mining legislation in the parliament were used.

 

In their statement they stated in ‘crystal’ letters that, “As a country founded on the strength of its natural resources, we are proud to see Canadian expertise, technology and investment dollars at work in communities around the world.

Should Canadian companies decide to invest abroad, the government encourages them to work in a positive manner that will help all stakeholders prosper from the projects.

In Africa, you can find many examples of Canada’s extractive sector playing a positive role: They are creating employment for local people, sharing and transferring Canadian expertise, respecting local law and regulations and helping communities develop natural resources in their own backyards.”

This leaves a lot of communication and understanding gap as to whether the blood of the innocent in rural communities in Tanzania (where Canadian Barrick Gold) has five mining sites with a trail of gross human rights violations, economic and environmental injustices, DRC, Kenya, Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras and Guatemala is anything to stand tall on and declare pride?

This is a sorry state in the standings of two diplomats and evidences how arrogant and insensitive Canadian envoys to Kenya and Tanzania are.

Canadian Government & Transparency

It is an irony for the two diplomats to concur and put in black and white that, “The Canadian government also strongly supports the International Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.

Our government will continue to support efforts of Canadian companies to make a positive difference in the communities in which they operate and encourage all governments to be transparent in their management of the extractive sector.”

A community in Bulyanhulu where a ‘planned’ massacre was reported in 1996 where 72 souls were reported lost. To me this was going to be a landmark to the Canadian facelift on how transparent they are. The relatives of the ‘alleged’ deaths are still haggling to get justice. The calls for an independent inquiry into the matter has fell on the deaf ears and I believe that the diplomats went through a series of trainings on how to give a totally deaf ears to these pending issues that are deemed as ‘tarnishing the reputation of Canada.’

 

Manipulations from Canada

Early February the world’s top personalities gathered in Cape Town in South Africa for the African Mining Indaba which was followed by the high profile gathering at the Southern Cape Hotel for the ministers of Mines, Chamber of mines from different African countries and of course a few representatives from the civil society camp.

One of the most interesting this is the fact that a number of representatives from the Mines ministries in over 35 African states unanimously state that, “human rights abuses reported in the extractive industry have not received a good handling while the participation of communities around the mines and equity in general were in books only.”

The African Mining Partnership (AMP) meeting was seasoned with a mixture of people, some who were pro-mining while the majority were cautiously tackling the issues that has taken the economies of their countries in the ‘drains’ with respect to the mining sectors in their respective countries. It also came out clearly that “Canada dominates extractive activities in Africa with a reputation which does not befits a country that boasts of constructive engagement in transparency and  accountability.”

When all these criticism was on the floor, a senior international Policy advisor, at Natural Resources Canada, Andre Bourassa ‘forced’ his way to address the gathering and complained bitterly of the “bad reports that has been posted on one of UN’s webpage concerning the trend of the mining/Extractive Industry.

“All reports that I have read on the UN’s webpage about mining in Africa is all negative. Mining in Africa is not all bad and these kinds of reports only make the UN to see a state of emergency and may stop its engagement in the mining sector even though in the recent past they have been gradually getting some interest.”

Bourassa went ahead to put forward a solemn plea to the minister to “produce positive reports on the progress made in the mining industry in Africa!”

This is something that threw a number of stakeholders off board and many asked, “if there is no good coming from the mining industry in Africa where are we going to get the good to write?”

This is the overbearing attitude which must stop. There has been far too much interference with all the interventions that African governments have introduced to make the most out of the natural wealth within individual countries’ borders.

 

New strategies announced

Messrs Ross Hynes and Roert Orr state in their statement that, “ Earlier this year, we (Canada) announced a new strategy that will help Canadian companies abroad go even further to meet and exceed their corporate social responsibility goals.”

If I am not mistaken this refers to the recent establishment of the office of the corporate social responsibility counsellor.  This is being headed by the former Munk Centre’s Director, Dr. Marketa Evans who is the new counsellor of the extractive sector’s CSR.

Canada has over the years realised a backlog of unresolved disputes from the host countries where foreign direct investment in the mining sector/extractive industry from Canada has had adverse effects in the social, economic and environmental areas.

“The mandate of the Counsellor will relate exclusively to the activities of Canadian extractive sector companies operating abroad. The Counsellor will:

• Review the corporate social responsibility practices of Canadian extractive sector companies operating outside Canada; and
• Advice stakeholders on the implementation of endorsed CSR performance guidelines.

The Counsellor will only undertake reviews with the consent of the involved parties. The five stages of the review process are: initial assessment; informal mediation; fact-finding; access to formal mediation; and, reporting.

Requests for review may originate from an individual, group or community that reasonably believes that it is being or may be adversely affected by the activities of a Canadian extractive sector company in its operations outside Canada. A request could also originate from a Canadian extractive sector company that believes it is the subject of unfounded allegations concerning its corporate conduct outside Canada in relation to the endorsed CSR performance guidelines.”

But with all that said on foreign affairs and international trade Canada website; a number of questions still linger in the minds of key players and those who follow closely on how far reaching and effective the office of the CSR counsellor will be? Does this office have the teeth to bite the Peter Munk’s of the Canadian Mining Empire? ...and how is this office prepared to deal with the unresolved disputes in Tanzania, Zambia, DRC, PNG, Guatemala, Honduras and other parts of the world where Canadian Extractive industry operates abroad?

Further readings

• http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/opOrEd/letters/Canadian%20mining%20activities%20in%20Africa%20a%20force%20for%20good%20/-/434756/883262/-/vb0hin/-/index.html
• http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/870374/-/item/3/-/15rlhth/-/index.html
• http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/ds/csr-strategy-rse-stategie.aspx

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND: What does the law of Retribution say?

NCHANGA OPEN PIT - KONKOLA: This is the world's second largest open pit mine in the World after Chile. Zambia and Zambians have nothing more to brag off on as far as the extraction of Copper is concerned. Churches have taken part in plunder of other countries' resources. What are they to give back? PHOTO/ER

  

In the real world of business, Churches are not left behind in the pursuit for more income. A number of Churches in the West have a lot of investments within the corporate world. This by and large is a good but the surprising factor is that the decisions to divest from investments that go against ethics take so long to be made. As we follow with Martin Chitengi, the biggest question is; how much is the church willing to return - according to the law of retribution to the communities who have long been plundered and abused?

The decision

THE Church of England has divested from mining company, Vedanta Resources, the majority shareholder of Konkola Copper Mines, after sustained pressure from campaigners, including many Christian groups.

The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board announced that they sold their shares in the company on the advice of the Church’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG).

Consequently, none of the three national investing bodies of the Church of England hold shares in Vedanta.

United Kingdom-based thinktank, Ekklesia, on its website, said it had highlighted, over three years, how Vedanta has been involved in some alleged unethical activities.

This included Vedanta’s bid for mining rights in the Indian state of Orissa in 2007 which faced mounting opposition from thousands of Dongaria Kandha tribal people.

The tribal people feared the plans would damage the fragile ecosystem of the Niyamgiri mountain forest, on which they depend for their livelihoods.

Manipulation on Policymaking processes

Ekklesia also alleges that Vedanta was involved in ‘short changing’ Zambia with royalty fees of just 0.6 per cent instead of the 5 to 10 per cent industry average in developing countries before the development agreements were abolished.

When contacted for comment KCM spokesperson Rahul Kharkar, who was sent the Ekklesia statement on Tuesday said he needed time to consult the chief executive and promised to call later. 

Meanwhile Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal denied allegations of maltreatment of locals according to online Economic Times of India.

 Mr Agarwal in a detailed e-mail response said that the mining project at Niyamgiri has been formally authorised by the Supreme Court, following a lengthy and extensively documented approval and procedure.

And Survival International pointed out that the Church is not the first to disinvest from Vedanta on ethical grounds.

In 2007, Norway sold its US$13m stake, alleging ‘there is little reason to believe the company’s unacceptable practice will change in the future."

Martin Currie Investments sold its its £2.3 million stake last year, and BP’s pension fund reduced its holdings in Vedanta due to alleged ‘concerns about the way the company operates.’

Investor values Versus Ethics

The EIAG advised divestment saying its engagement with Vedanta produced no substantive results and EIAG believed it would be inconsistent with the Church ethical investment policy to remain invested given the EIAG’s concerns about the firm’s approach to relations with the communities where it operates.

The EIAG chairman, John Reynolds says, “I am a passionate advocate for engagement with companies when we have ethical concerns. We have an excellent track record of getting our concerns heard and acted upon by firms in which the Church investing bodies hold shares.

“We are grateful to Vedanta’s senior management for making themselves available to meet us on a number of occasions. However, after six months of engagement, we are not satisfied that Vedanta has shown, or is likely in future to show, the level of respect for human rights and local communities.”

The EIAG understands that the Indian government is still considering whether to give final approval for the mine project.

Mr Reynolds stressed that: “We respect the Indian democratic system. Our concern is that a company registered and listed in the UK should conform to the established environmental, social and governance norms expected in the London market – or at least reassure its shareholders that it is committed to the journey.”

The EIAG said it will maintain contact with Vedanta. John Reynolds said: “We will be pleased to review our recommendation to the Church investing bodies if the company addresses the concerns we have raised.”

A Welcome Decision

The director of Survival International, Stephen Corry said: "The Church’s unprecedented and very welcome decision sends a strong signal to companies that trample on tribal peoples’ rights:

Vedanta was just one of a number of investments in mining companies which the Church of England still holds.

Campaigners point out that mining is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It has a disproportionately negative impact on marine-dependent and land-based communities, especially indigenous peoples

The Church of England and the Methodist Church hold shares in Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, despite Catholic aid agency CAFOD, War on Want, Anglican bishops and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, previously condemning the companies for their actions.

The combined Church of England shareholding in these three companies was valued at £62 million in the last annual report of the Church Commissioners.

BHP Billiton in particular has faced allegations of human rights abuses and widespread environmental destruction.

Campaigners, The London Mining Network recently published an ‘alternative report’ into its activities outlining negative impact of many of the company’s operations – in Australia, West Papua, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, Canada, Colombia and Chile.

Jonathan Bartley co-director of Ekklesia which last year produced a report examining the ethics of the Church's investments said: "questions must now be asked about the other mining companies in which the Church also has substantial shareholdings. 

URANIUM MINING IN ZAMBIA: Signing the Contract of Death

STOCKPILES: Uranium Ores stockpiled in one of the sites belonging to one of the investors in Uranium Mining in Zambia

Bold statements are not rare among us when it comes to issues that relate to foreign direct investments in our countries in Africa. Our African Leaders seem to care less of what would become of their people in the aftermath of making rush decisions. It is a sheer selfishness when our people are subjected to deplorable living conditions when it comes to Extraction of Natural Resources in our midst. Zambia is yet to make another big mistake of not taking the concerns of the people at heart when striking deals on Uranium Mining. Dennison Mines is Canadian and African Energy Resources is Australian, are there not Uranium Fields in these countries? Has anyone in the government tried to follow up what happens in these countries with regards to Uranium countries so that informed decisions are made? Copper mining has evidenced big failure since privatisation era and we are watching now...  

Rushing to Destruction

LATE last week the Zambian Minister for Mines, Maxwel Mwale was assertive of the imminent opening of the operations of the African Energy Resources, a company which ‘intends’ to carry out Uranium mining in the Southern province – Siavonga.

It is a good thing that the Zambian government through the Ministry of Mines is focused on seeing that Uranium mining activities takes off as soon as possible. But in the face of this readiness on the part of the government; a moment of reflection need to be taken lest the government and the Ministry overseeing mining activities rush into destruction.

The government needs to take a moment to reflect on how ready the local communities are to have Uranium mining among them; tight in the midst of the communities. ‘In March the people who are supposed to be relocated will be relocated and the mining activities will take off-ground!’ so the minister was quoted on the media.

Historical Narratives

Uranium exploration activities is said to have “begun in 1980s.” “We have had a number of companies from Italy, America and other countries in the west since 1980s coming here with claims that they are carrying out exploration activities,” said a senior member of community.

In the foregoing, it was evident from the local community members that these ‘explorers’ “carried out their drilling activities, packed the product in boxes tightly packaged and were shipped out of the country. We know that you do not need a huge amount of Uranium to make final products from it and these people have been coming here and carrying out Uranium out of the country to meet their desired end. How long should exploration take to ensure that there is enough deposits of Uranium?”

Are Local Communities Ready?

I do not know whether it was a matter of coincidence or just a mere fact that the Minister was in the region and our team was also in the same area where he made his bold statement!

Talking to the traditional leaders in the three Chiefdoms, it was evident that the government of the day; even though in “a hurry to see these investors go ahead with uranium mining activities, we are still in the dark with what mining of this kind is all about. We have not been told the benefits, advantages and disadvantages of Uranium mining,” the chiefs and the headmen unanimously said at different times.

Speaking to the leadership in Sikoongo Chiefdom, it emerged that the investor in their midst – the African Energy Resources have given the community members conflicting information.

“We have been confused with the turn of issues because the company that came to us first is not the company which is now here. At first it was Albidon which came to us and now it is African Energy Resources. But even in their coming – African Energy Resources, we are not sure what exactly is being done. All we know is that they have prospecting licence but now they are talking about mining. Is it not the case that they should change their licence first?” queried one of the concerned community members.

Another concern which was raised by the local community members in Sikoongo Chiefdom was that of information that was passed to them by a lady they called Pamela and her team from African Energy Resource.

“At first, when Pamela and the team from African Resource Energy came here; they told us a little about Uranium and the dangers that come with it but later on when we started asking more questions about the impacts the story was changed and we were told that it is not all that dangerous and the company will be monitoring all activities closely,” said a retired teacher.

Lack of Awareness on Uranium Mining

The community members in Sikoongo, Simamba and Sinadambwe Chiefdoms raised their concerns on lack of awareness creation on what impacts come with Uranium mining in their communities. “We are completely in the dark and the government does not seem to care much about educating our people. We have heard of what this kind of mining can do to a community and we have also been told of Heroshima and all the effects that came with the bombing. Even though this is not a bombing but it is the same mineral we hear was used to make that dangerous bomb.”

At this juncture it should be remembered that the Simamba Chiefdome will not be directly face the impacts of the Uranium mining but certainly people from this chiefdom will go to the Sikoongo and Sinadambwe’s chiefdoms where the mining activities for Uranium will take place, hence they also need to have sensitisation programmes conducted.

The Namibian Experience

Two Chiefs from the Sinadambwe and Simamba Chiefdoms were accorded a trip to Namibia to see how Uranium is mined and processed but also to have round table discussions with the top management team at Dennison Mines offices in Namibia.

From their experiences their Royal Highnesses, Sinadambwe and Simamba said that, “The mining activities are literally in the desert and not close to the people.” This is a sharp contrast with what is happening among the Southerners in Zambia’s second tourist destination.

On our talks with the local leaders at the Chiefdom levels, we were informed that the relocation plans which are being discussed “...only talks about people from 6 villages in the Sinadambwe Chiefdom being relocated only 5 kilometres away from the central Uranium mining activity area.”

Concerns on the Zambezi Water Basin

While the government of Zambia and the ministry given the responsibility to oversee the mining sector are in a hurry to see production of Uranium taking place – are there any measures taken to mitigate the impacts that would visit the local communities and the regional impacts if one mistake occurs?

We know of the cutting cost mechanism which mining companies have used all over the world with regards to disposal of over-burden materials; otherwise known as wastes. The areas where Uranium mining activities implementation is proposed to take place in Zambia are mainly in the valleys and or in the water steams. The main concern in this line is to do with the allegations that Dennison Mines at one point wanted “to push overburden materials from one of their operational sites which is on a hill to a valley under them. This valley carries water from upstream to the Kariba Lake. Siavonga is supposedly the second tourist destination in Zambia; now, my only question is will this fact be the same once contamination cases starts to shoot up? Which Tourist will come here? How about the trans-boundary impacts which will be faced by neighbouring countries who share the Zambezi water basin when such impunity has started even before the full operation starts?”

Claims of Low Quality Products

The statement by the Minister of Mines on Friday the 22, January 2010 was preceded by reports from the company that the Uranium which is going to be mined in the Southern part of Zambia is of low quality, "Not strong enough!" But the most surprising thing is that they ( the investors are still pushing on to open the mine in March and or shortly after the reallocation of the villagers. 

This is another story that has been echoed for ages by the investors in mining Industry to make decision makers think that it is worth disposing of the mineral at a throw away price and disregard all the impacts in order not to lose the investor who is readily at hand.This is technically called 'brainwashing.' if it is true that the Uranium in Siavonga is "weak" then the best thing to do on the part of the investor is to let it lay in the ground without starting a process which will eventually end up leaving the communities in ill health for generations to come.

Fresh Look into Uranium Mining in Zambia

With the emergence of such statements the government of Zambia should be advised to look into this matter afresh. The investor in this case wants the government to be on the beggar's footing and beg them to stay and give them whatever little they can offer. 

Unless the government officials want to enrich themselves, they will not go back to the drawing board but t if they (the government) has the interest of her people at heart, they certainly will take this simple advise and call all the parties to the drawing board and make decisions where no one will be blamed to be a killer of the people.

Zambia should not be on the begging side of the table but an equal who should walk tall and proud of having the mineral which is needed by the investor.

Hear it in Our Voices: Zambians speak out the Extractive Industry...

THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE LIVE: This is one of the sad and sore sights in Mufulira. People live not more than 10 metres from the wastes from the mining activities by Mopani Copper Mining. 

When stakeholders in development speak on matters that the government considers to be a-no-go-zone for any other person; they are branded as those in opposition to the ruling government and party. Partisan and selfish ambitions of our African Leaders is heading to something destructive if NOT kept in check. The Council of Churches in Zambia late last year (2009) conducted a special live panel discussion on Muvi TV and it is NOT my intention to water what was said. Hear it in the voices of the poor and marginalised persons in the Country... Verbatim!

1. What      is CCZ doing to help the government reduce or close the gap between the rich & the poor? CHIONI SAKALA, KITWE
2. No Proper Labour Laws to guide resources.
3. Leaders in Zambia especially presidents are all selfish and do not have the interest of people at heart they behave like foreigners. CHISANGA FRM KASAMA
4. It’s good that you, the panel is talking on behalf of the people who can’t express themselves well. Let us work hard to protect the vulnerable in society. CHE OF LY
5. The ngombe displaced people are suffering from 2002 up to today we are crying for our land please help us we are 281 number
6. We want human life as Zambians to be respected. Our Copper is taken every day hence our people do not benefit from it. Fr  Ponda frm Mufulira
7. Politicians have disappointed us. They should be ashamed to be rich representatives of the poor. The gap is becoming too wide. SHAME! MASEKA JMM ZAMBEZI.
8. Rupiah and the MMD, should change the attitude and do things for Zambians and NOT for investors. AH KF
9. The government is only interested in fattening their pockets.  We do not have investors instead we have infesters. MA  KABWE
10. For as long as Smelting/Leaching continues by-products harmful to people will be. Investor needs to 'pay' for activities. MM lsk
11. Privatisation has grown our economy but has underdeveloped Zambia. it’s the weapon now employed by the northern countries thru IMF and World Bank. Our ministers lack the capacity to develop suitable policy frameworks. M of Kabwata.
12. Can the panel comment on Zambian investors who beat workers for failure to meet cashing & paying the minimum wage like foreign investors, Costa good topic but do research, Zambian managers in mining companies are a let down
13. Government has give investors more power than the local employ which is very bad.
14. In this country the labour law z so weak that’s why investors take advantage. MK  – Lilayi
15. That is the best observation. Government has no direction. Investor is their hero a Zambian is rubbish because they gain from investors. Mussa Lsk
16. Though the topic is good, may I find out whether the men of God engaged are specialised in related expertise to do the study on Ecology? This is a specialised subject that should have been done by specialised people. E.g when you want to do an audit, you go to specialised people in accounts. Your definition of ecology was weak. Have you read the environment protection and pollution control act? What is the problem is that Zambia has never taken an inventory of her ecological resources has never been studied, quantified. VICTOR KAZEMBE KAWANGA
17. Africans we are very dull people, if disputed prove otherwise, education has failed us, I'm sorry, we are vulnerable. Leave investors alone we are just fools no eyes of foreigners. Shame.
18. It is sad to see the country endowed with a lot of natural resources walloping in poverty. Zambians should stand up and demands for what belong to them. Fr Kapungwe Mufulira
19. The interest of the people running the country’s economy is the monetary benefits they get from the investors and not the citizens.- DLM Samfya.
20. The panel seem to have made a good analysis, that the involvement of local people is sidelined and the law protect the investors, what can u propose to the government policy to arrest the situation? REV GABRIEL, CHOMA.
21. It is really sad to talk about poverty in Zambia after 45 yrs of independence. We have bin colonised again by the so called investors. Are we really free? Only god knows
22. Our country is a big disgrace, surely how on earth do u expect investors to respect our laws when de legislatures protect them example chimumbwa and KCM water pollution saga in Chingola what has happened? Rev. Siame UCZ Mpika
23. Yes, we are poor because when Chiluba said African is no longer sleeping, later he was called a thief.  SHAME! MICKY NDOLA.
24. Government is not concerned with this problem because some top government leaders are benefitting directly from the foreign mine owners.  Jimmy - Kabwe
25. I concur with my reverend Andrew Chulu. As a govt, it needs to set standards to let investors develop the areas they come in and not only to let them make money and leave us suffering. It's high time we stood up and speak to air our views. Silence means acceptance. CM of Ly
26. Rupiah should be brought here on da c/belt and at least taken to underground so he sees what miner go thru. Mike. Cn
27. Zambia’s problem is not da investor, but its relationship with the living God. Proverbs 29:2. We seem not to a government, these investors can only sponsor by elections and not infrastructure, that’s our leaders have no say, Chingola town today is dirty. Evangelist Bwalya Ellison. Chingola
28. You should have checked than just sound nice blaming efforts of Environmental Council of Zambia. Don’t you see how they prosecuted ZESCO, CHILANGA CEMENT, National Milling
29. Why don’t people in power listen? Do they care about us?
30. On  all what you  have  elaborated  especially on  Environmental   pollution and pulsing  danger  to  people  ,what will be the solution  to  safeguard  human being  &  Environment. PANDWE  JOSEPH - NCHELENGE
31. Kafue  is  such  example  with  the  coming  of   universal  mining
32. The question which l ask myself is; Do we have leaders who are patriotic and with the vision of Zambia other than their visions. Imagine even maize which we grow Mealie Meal is beyond many Zambian. Food is a problem in this country. Go beyond Copperbelt you will cry, this country is slowly sinking badly, besides being beautiful and rich, sad! S Fungaloko. Estates – Kafue.
33. We seem not to a government, these investors can only sponsor by elections and not infrastructure, that’s our leaders have no say, Chingola town today is dirty.
34. You should have checked than just sound nice blaming efforts of Environmental Council of Zambia. Don’t you see how they prosecuted ZESCO, Chilanga Cement, National Milling
35. Why don’t the people in power listen? Do they care about us?
36. On  all what you  have  elaborated  especially on  Environmental   pollution and pulsing  danger  to  people, what will be the solution  to  safeguard  human being  &  Environment. PANDWE  JOSEPH - NCHELENGE
37. Fr Emmanuel & yr group do u think MMD is doing anything to develop the country & mitigate the problems the poor people are facing? Mwamba James
38. Kafue  is  such  example  with  the  coming  of   universal  mining
39. The question which l ask myself is, Do we have leaders who are patriotic and with the vision of Zambia other than their visions. Imagine even maize which we grow Millie Meal is beyond many Zambian. Food is a problem in this country. Go beyond Copperbelt you will cry, this country is slowly sinking badly, besides being beautiful and rich, sad! S Fungaloko – estates Kafue.
40. I thank you for this program & support you we the people of KANKOYO are being mistreated by our leaders by allowing the mines to continue polluting the all town ship without being compensated. D.A.M OF MUFULIRA
41. You people we a behind u go on it is true Mufulira residents are ignorant kindly pres de government. We a with you talk please
42. Since you are aware of these negative experiences what steps do you taker as CCZ in order to help do away with it, mainly economically? MFUNE JEFF. L.STONE.
43. That panel is powerful and I like that they are raising those important issues Zambia need to wake up and protect its people!
44. Zambian leaders are too dependence on external government. They have no trust that GOD can see them through.
45. Honourable gentlemen why are things that way and who is to blame for all the state of affairs, RAS BOYD LSK
46. Can the police arrest the leaders from basic education teachers union of Zambia for stealing 500,000 Kwacha from poor teachers? Kangwa.
47. Good discussion but let me remind de panel that our leaders know that very well. But their priority is enriching their pockets. That’s the problem.
48. Why are our leaders so proud of investors giving Zambians jobs when the employees are said slave wages? When will Zambians see real empowerment?
49. Africa should not allow itself to be used like a pot
50.  I believe MPs, all civic leaders & government leaders in Mufulira when getting out of Mufulira they use planes not vehicles because they would have spoken out. Fr. J
51. Mr RUBARA you are a library of wisdom. Get a column with the POST News paper & share that wisdom. May be, just maybe we can have a new evolution. MUDENDA HAMANJANJI
52. It’s plain & simple, office holders in ECZ, ERB, ZBS are a disgrace, let them resign. ECZ has rules that can protect our citizens but are not used. ERB gave ZESCO benchmarks to achieve before tariff increment, has ZESCO met them? NO. Standards of goods on the market are low where is ZBS?
53. It’s a good program. I wish you brought in govt official in who are policy makers. Now what next? Pastor Kafwimbi, Solwezi
54. Zambia has no vision for its Copper. Shame on us  - Sam
55. The cause is the second president, Chiluba.
56. Costa respect to you and Muvi Television for coming up with a great panel. They are a blessing and well informed. The problem we have is that our leaders do not get the advice.  In everything they see opposition parties even this panel tomorrow it will be they are PF-UPND affiliates. God bless this panel
57. It’s a pity we have toothless and blind leaders. Government does not protect its people and so thugs or investors come, make money and leave our nation poor and polluted. D. Siafwa - Lya
58. The government is protecting the investors. I am happy with those observation gentlemen. BANDA  KEPHAS  MUFULIRA
59. It’s true our government is weak and that’s why investors are rude. Let’s protect out people like the Botswana is. KASEBA LUSAKA
60. I don't know if Zambians will ever think upright. DC are developing at our expense. Please graduates of DS what are you doing out there. Come together and save this rich country.
61. What are our leaders’ long term goals, or even just the short term goals? All they want is to win elections. Wytson.
62. Environmental council of Zambia is literary doing nothing on land degradation on de Copperbelt. Zuze Mpulungu
63. The government is protecting the investors. I am happy with that observation gentlemen. BANDA KEPHAS  MUFULIRA.
64. Why do mining activities done in Zambia without any tax and o the funds are banked out? Don’t we have banks in Zambia?
65. No it is poor leader in a rich country. Pastor remove poor mind in leader. How can a blind man led.
66. Our colonialists at least left us with something to build on, but because we are thieves, greedy and selfish, we've squandered everything, e.g. at time of independence Zambian Kwacha was at par with Pound, let’s not blame them!
67. Why can’t de policy makers let de mine owners pay a certain % to the community where they mine, for maintenance and..! Ya twacula..! Jengela - Chililabombwe.
68. thanks to CCZ God help us least we progress at a diminishing rate mining policy need revising
69. We will only b economically independent when our leaders decide to serve the people of Zambia & not favourde so cod investors – PM
70. The problem of country our imports are higher than the exports. We should come with other method of living depending on non-remunerable resources. Opening companies to help maintaining our economy.
71. Please tell these leaders to stop being spectators and start formulating policies that protect Zambia and its people. Let them start being professional!
72. What benefit will this discussion bring for us Zambians? KAHONGOH LYA
73. Leaders like sweets from these people who are called investors with duty free. Now they are busy milking Zambians. We buy 1 = 1 dollar, ZRA = 1 dollar yet there is transport and so on. How are we going to be developed?
74. As an authority what is the way forward legally or otherwise CCZ?  Bishop  Nkole - Kabwe
75. As long as we keep on crying about the past we will not win. Zambians are best people to develop Zambia. Let us develop local capacity to maximise from natural resources. MUKWAKWA - KAPIRI
76. Copper profits are used to build external economies because they are externalised. Building economy involves spending. What we get from mines is for hand and mouth. We need to re engage mine owners and renegotiate proper share of profits. After 45 years of independence we should not have 80% poverty levels.
77. Hi everyone. At one time I invite an investor and I did everything for him and the company I did invite I also got land for  and today they say they do not need me. I have not stolen from them, what should I do? Lsk
78. Government is importing fertilisers at the expense of NCZ. Does it make sense?
79. As long as we still continue having old and finished same politicians in government, we will never go anywhere because of greediness. Fr. Bashi K Lusaka
80. The problems is poor leaders in politician and have personal interest. In shot we are not lead by Christian in this country.
81. The Zambian government does not use their initiative to develop the nation
82. No leader in Zambia will think of any good will to us because they are our Masters and not our Servants. SAM JAU SAKALA
83. Can someone tell me motive behind building the wusakile boxes (houses) and Nkana east  by the white miners-bohada. Ndola
84. Indeed, God has given us abundant resources. Honestly why should we remain poor? HK PULE NDOLA
85. Is Zambia a rich country?
86. Good program westerners can’t survive without enslaving us worse still elite leaders a thieves we a selling our inheritance please bring awareness Church arise
87. Zambia is a copper country, why can’t mineral tax finance 80% of budget? CC - Kitwe
88. The issue of investors in Zambia is more of day light robbery. If our benefit only employment then Zambians are doomed
89. The government claims to be building on the promise, but there is rather too little pressure on investors. Citizens get meagre salaries and the government benefits less. Could the government see to it that Zambians benefit as much as investors? .(H.V.S. Chingola)
90. I think the problem is that the Church is not taking its God given responsibility of giving direction to the national leadership all over the world. BR KATUMBI
91. Those men a genius please, we need such talks again & again, tell them & let’s hop RB is listening to that program. Mwanza J.C in L/STONE
92. It seems our govt leaders are very short sighted vis a vis promoting interests of foreign investors against interests of  Zambians, particularly poor or under privileged Zambians. Donald - Mansa
93. This program is really educative. I agree with Rev Chulu, investors just milk us and later dump us like anything. Our leaders too do not dnt have love for us but for them. it’s sad.
94. As much as all facts are on the ground how are we going to be in charge of our resources? D CHONGO
95. Time has come for men of God to rise and talk things are not OK in Zambia. MWAMBA 
96. The biggest challenge Zambia has is lack of visionary leadership. What we have are people whose interest is to amass wealth ignoring their call to provide pragmatic leadership. Zambia needs selfless citizens to bring glory to this land. DS chipata.
97. Government leaders have no interest in serving the people of Zambia they are only interested in enriching themselves. GIVEN KS STAGE 1
98. Good discussion. Help us implement what you arer talking about especially people of Solwezi before we are doomed. N Ndandanda - Solwezi
99. Men of God you have us an eye opener.
100. Our weak policies coupled with selfish leadership has brought up this unbearable situation. Men of God speak for the people; our political machinery can’t see what you are bringing out.
101. Yes, Zambia is a very-very rich country but were da riches go only da government knows we a suffering because more powers a given to investors then Zambians
102. I agree with da panel that da Zambian polices are weak in Kaoma there is a team of investors when actually they are just harvester feasting on our raw materials
103. We d people to understand that we are in trouble with so called investor men of God your saying the truth Rev. Muma.
104. Gentlemen, as long as the government directs, administers and finances the constitutional making process; Zambia shall never have people’s friendly constitution. BIKOKO
105. Local people are not ignorant, they are betrayed by leaders.
106. To the panel talk  of Hetro Mining in Kasempa which was getting 50 trucks and trailers of copper per day, salaries for workers K250 000 per month, damaged roads in Kasempa but no repairs, is this investment? Ndola.
107. It’s sad to see our mining towns fall to pieces e.g. the only meaningful development is what was done by the colonial planners with copper revenue. Today towns like Chingola infrastructure has collapsed and replaced by Tuntembas, main roads washed away in once cleanest town in Zambia. Poor planning and control - GM Chingola
108. The programme is very educative, we need such message & action in our country - Rev Kakoma-Choma
109. It's good discussion. I wish your contributions will sink into minds and heart of our leaders.
110. Men of God in Mufulira and Chingola let us not just Pray and watch but we should act for the sake of God’s people. We are a prophetic voice. Fr Ponda
111. It’s true our government has poor, selfish policies and don’t protect their people because they have been corrupted with cash in their pockets. Jordan Lumwana