KONKOLA Copper Mine (KCM) liquidator Milingo Lungu has started restructuring the mine with Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) technical manager Moses Chilambe being appointed as head of the business unit in Chililabombwe. Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa said the liquidator wants the mine to have a team of competent people to take it to the next level. Speaking in an interview yesterday, Mr Musukwa said Mr Chilambe would take the mine to greater heights as he has vast experience in the mining sector. “The appointment of Mr Chilambe is part of the restructuring process at the company. He has vast qualifications and experience in the mines and so Government is hopeful he will take the company to greater heights,” Mr Musukwa said.

And KCM corporate affairs manager Eugene Chungu said in a separate interview that Mr Chilambe’s appointment has been necessitated by the resignation of Francois Naude from the position. Mr Chungu said the mining firm has several business units which are headed by different people and that Mr Chilambe would head the business unit in Chililabombwe. He said Mr Chilambe was appointed last week, adding that his recruitment was seconded by ZCCM-IH.

“The company is hopeful that Mr Chilambe will take the business of Konkola forward,” Mr Chungu said. Last month President Edgar Lungu announced that Government had started the process of taking over management of the mine. This followed the failure by Vendata Resources, the investor at KCM, to manage operations of the firm which resulted in job losses. The company also owes suppliers and contractors about US$260 million. Government has appointed a provincial liquidator for the mining giant as it awaits a court ruling on whether the company should be wound up