Zambia Revokes Chinese Collum Coal Mine Licenses
From Coal Guru
Reuters reported that Zambia has revoked licenses for a Chinese owned coal mine over poor safety and environmental compliance, as well as a failure to pay mineral royalties
Mr Yamfwa Mukanga Zambian minister of mines said the government has cancelled all three mining licenses held by Collum Coal mine. He said “The government has also taken over the running of the mines and will continue operating them until a suitable investor is found.”
Mr Mukanga said the mine hasd a history of poor safety, health and environmental compliance, mainly due to the employment of non qualified personnel.
H said “In some instances the entire mine has been closed to allow the mine management to comply with mine safety department directives, but there has been no improvement.”
He added that the mine did not have emergency medical treatment facilities such as ambulances or a first aid station underground
Collum Coal Mine had also failed to declare its mineral production as required for all mining companies under Zambian law.
Zambian police last August charged a miner with the murder of a Chinese supervisor and 11 others with rioting and theft during a protest over pay at the Collum Coal mine.
