Mining job cuts hit African leaders ahead of polls

Johannesburg

WHEN Canada's Barrick Gold said it would close its copper mine in Zambia if the government imposed a sharp hike in mineral royalties, President Edgar Lungu had little choice but to back down to save valuable jobs that keep the country going.

Mining accounts for over 70 per cent of export earnings and employs over 60,000 in the landlocked southern African economy. With his Patriotic Front (PF) facing an election next year, Mr Lungu promised no jobs would be lost and agreed to lower royalties than the government wanted.

Mr Barrick kept the jobs and the mine open in a case that highlighted the challenges for African governments in dealing with powerful international miners suffering from a glo…