Sata livid as top mine threatens massive layoffs

At a press briefing in Kitwe this week, KCM’s chief executive Kishore Kumar said the current productivity level of eight tonnes per year, per employee, was far below the global average of 100 tonnes and was unsustainable.

“This is due to the fact that KCM … operations are still using the costly conventional methods compared to mechanised mining which had become the global standard… In the continuing restructuring of our operations, KCM is moving towards mechanisation and automation of all its operations to ensure efficiency and higher productivity. The resultant changes may affect upward of 1,529 members of our staff, through labour outplacement,” he said. The company was also moving towards mechanization and automation in view of the decreased copper grades at some of its mines.