Chambishi Metals Shuts Down, Over 200 Miners Jobless

Over 229 workers are expected to lose their jobs following the decision by Chambeshi Metals to place nine on care maintenance beginning January month end.

Mines Workers Union of Zambia President Joseph Chewe has told a media briefing that the union has been having prolonged meetings with the company which is under Eurasian Resource Group (ECG) not to shut the operations but to no avail. Mr. Chewe said that 229 miners will be retrenched stressing that only about 29 will be retained as care and maintenance employees.

He urged the situation was regrettable for Chameshi and the local business community. He said the union had a conclusive engagement with the mine over their proposal but that the mine insisted on its plan with the reasoning that they are had a challenge in sourcing for funds to sustain operations.