Copper Production To Be Sustained Amid Covid-19

North-Western Province Minster Nathaniel Mubukwanu has announced that the government will do everything in its power to maintain copper production amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The minister made the announcement during a visit to the Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila district, where he was inspecting newly-implemented Covid-19 prevention and response measures in the workplace.

Mr Mubukwanu said the provincial administration had a vested interest in the mine’s operations and would do everything possible to support it.

“Government, particularly the President, attaches great importance to the operations of this mine and that is why we will do everything possible in our means to ensure that production is not disrupted at all,” he said. 

The minister emphasised the importance of the mine, not only to its shareholders and investors, but to the workers and people of Zambia through its contribution to the national economy. 

As part of the mine’s measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, screening stations have been set up at entry points to the mine and surrounding township, with thermal scanners at the mine’s major checkpoint. 

During Mr Mubukwanu’s visit he was presented with a donation of 5,000 examination examination gloves by Kalumbila Minerals’ General Manager Gavin Whyte. 

Mr Whyte thanked the government for playing an active role in the fight against Covid-19 and for ensuring that citizens were kept up to date with news of the pandemic.

“There is need to keep everyone informed; even if it is bad news, we need to know where we are” he stated. 

North-Western Province recorded its first five cases of Covid-19 on 9th May.