Zambia detains Glencore Mines executive
Zambia prevented the head of Glencore Plc’s local unit from
leaving the country after police intercepted him at the airport, further
intensifying a dispute over the commodity trader’s move to halt unprofitable
copper operations.
Nathan Bullock, the chief executive officer of Mopani Copper
Mines, was stopped at the airport in Lusaka, state-owned ZNBC TV reported,
citing Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo. The minister said Bullock was
detained on suspicion that he was fleeing the country without informing the
government.
Glencore said the CEO was heading back to his home in
Australia to spend time with his family. He was detained in connection with the
company’s decision to place its mines on care and maintenance last week and has
since been released, the company said in a statement.
Glencore said last week it needs to close shafts at Mopani
due to falling metal prices, disrupted logistics and travel restrictions
related to the coronavirus pandemic. The government has described the closure
as illegal and on Tuesday escalated the dispute by threatening to strip
Glencore of its mining license.
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