Neelkanth Metals fined K900,000 for acquiring copper scrap metal

By Wilson Mulinda

Neelkanth Metals company limited has been ordered to pay 900,000Kwacha in fines across three charges for illegally handling and acquiring copper scrap metal.

The Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate ordered Neelkanth Metals company limited to pay the fine.

The fines include 300,000 Kwacha for dealing in scrap Metal without a License, another 300,000 Kwacha for failure to maintain transaction records and a further 300,000 for acquiring scrap metal without a clearance certificate.

A warrant of distress will be issued, allowing authorities to seize assets to recover the fines if the payment is not made by November 4, 2024.

And over 4,000 kilograms of seized copper cables and transformer windings have been forfeited to the state and returned to ZESCO.

Neelkanth Metals Limited, based in Masaiti on the Copperbelt, was convicted for illegally handling and acquiring copper scrap metal.

This is according to a statement issued by the ZESCO Public Relations Unit.