ZAMBIA’S government is poised to take over a British-owned mine following demands from trade unionists.

President Edgar Lungu appears to have heeded their calls over Vedanta Resources, a London-based firm that runs his country’s largest copper mine.

In the strongest sign yet that Vedanta will lose control of the pit, Zambia’s High Court appointed a “provisional liquidator” on Tuesday.

Environmental campaigner Samarendra Das from Foil Vedanta tweeted victoriously: “Finally it seems like the people of Zambia had enough with Vedanta.”

The Mineworkers Union of Zambia has accused Vedanta of “failing” local people in Chingola and Chililabombwe.

The operation has been dogged by years of controversy with hundreds of Zambian farmers trying to sue the mine owners over alleged water pollution.

The UK Supreme Court ruled recently that their lawsuit can be heard in London.

The company’s chairman Anil Agarwal is worth over £10 billion and was ranked 12th on the Sunday Times rich list published earlier this month.

Vedanta was approached for comment.