OVER 1,000 Kagem Mine employees are living in fear of impending redundancies following the world’s largest emerald producer’s decision to suspend operations until June next year. Despite assurances from the mine that basic salaries will continue to be paid during the closure, workers are anxious about their job security. Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Joseph Chewe has expressed concerns that the mine’s decision to halt operations for six months is not in the best interest of the workers, the mine, or the country. “The closure will have far-reaching consequences on the local community and national economy,” said Chewe. Kagem Mining Limited attributed the temporary suspension of mining operations to the disturbed emerald market dynamics caused by an oversupply of Zambian...