Dow Jones reported that the worker unrest at Zambia's largest copper miner, Konkola Copper Mines has started easing with most miners reporting for duty.

Mr Gerald Mulwanda KCM's head of media relations said that more than 90% of the workers had reported for duty and the company is set to resume labour negotiations with the miners' unions, which were suspended following workers riots. KCM is majority owned by London listed Vedanta Resources and is expected to produce around 50% of Zambia's total copper output this year.

He said that "The situation at Konkola Copper Mines plc is returning to normalcy after disruption to work caused by an illegal 3 day strike."

KCM workers are demanding a 30% salary increment and improved benefits, the local miners are also complaining that expatriates are paid higher salaries than them, despite having similar qualifications and skills.

According to union officials, the anti riot police and KCM mine security had to be called in to disperse a group of miners who had gathered at the entrance of the mine premises threatening to riot. By the time workers went on strike, KCM was yet to respond to their demands, however, company sources said that the workers are unlikely to be given the 30% increment because KCM is implementing cost cutting measures as it moves to start output at the deep mine project, expected to more than triple annual copper ore output to 7.5 million tonnes from the current 2 million tonnes. The project is expected to come on stream in 2011.

(Sourced from Dow Jones)