Just as government threatened to withdraw the licences of mining firms which refused to pay the increased taxes so did the mining companies threaten to stop their mining activities.
Dependent upon diesel-driven power plants which supply almost 200MW of electricity to the FQM mining operation at Kalumbila, almost 120 kilometers west of Solwezi the provincial capital needs an extra 30 percent for it to operate at full capacity.
Experts warn Canada's mining industry faces a looming risk it's not ready to deal with — lack of access to workers with the skills needed in an upswing.
Shares in the Vancouver-based miner soared Monday as the firm said it would likely hire an investment bank to advise the board on all strategic options.
Suspension of Maricunga comes earlier than planned after a court upheld the country’s regulator decision to shut down the water system linked to the mine over environmental concerns.