Barrick Gold Corp and First Quantum Minerals Ltd — two Canadian mining companies —are holding their breath as the Zambian government is being asked to reverse a royalty mine hike. The companies are two of Zambia’s largest foreign investors and copper producers, The Globe and Mail reported.

Now, workers of the companies and union members — roughly 12,000 — are in job security limbo because imposed royalty taxes have been raised from six percent to 20 percent.

In late 2014 it was announced that the government’s decision may ultimately force Barrick and First Quantum Minerals to shut down. Still on January 1, the royalty hike took effect as the plan is best for the economic well being of the country.

“It has created a lot of anxiety among Zambian workers. Other investors could pull out of Zambia,” Nevers Mumba, Zambian presidential candidate said in the Globe and Mail report. “There’s a risk of a run in that sector. I’m concerned about the ripple effect – it could have a terrible impact.”

Nonetheless, the government has no plans of  implementing a reversal until companies have at least outlined how the hike will harshly affect business, according to Reuters. Barrick Gold Corp. has already began the process of temporarily shutting down operations at Lumwana Copper Mine, located in Northwestern Zambia.

“It will be negligent of the government to undo what we did. We applied our minds when coming up with the new rates and can’t just change because of an outcry,” Christopher Yaluma, mines minister told Reuters last month.

While talks of lowering the 20 percent royalty tax have been in circulation since last fall, budging on behalf of the government is most likely to come by way of a new president.

Mumba, according to The Globe and Mail, will bring down the 20 percent tax percentage if he is elected president January 20. Changes are not likely to take effect until the end of February should Mumba be elected — and should he keep his promise.