Zambia takes over troubled Chinese-run coal mine

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Zambia's mining minister says his country has taken over a Chinese-run coal mine where managers once opened fire on workers during a labor dispute.

Yamfwa Mukanga announced Wednesday that the government seized control of Collum Coal Mining Industries Ltd. Mukanga said the Chinese managers had not addressed safety, health and environmental concerns at the mine, had also failed to declare production and had not paid royalties to the government.

There has been a history of problems at this mine. Two Chinese managers were accused of shooting coal miners there during a labor dispute in 2010. Clashes at the mine in August reportedly saw one Chinese worker killed and two others injured.

Labor conflicts at Chinese businesses in Zambia are pointed to as examples of problems with Chinese investors across Africa.