Operations at Luanshya Copper Mines, LCM, owned by new Chinese investors, NFCA, will begin once the mine is redeveloped.
NFCA General Manager, Luo Xingeng, says operations are expected to commence about Six months after the takeover of the mine.
Mr Luo, who spoke through an interpreter, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy call on Luanshya District Commissioner, George Kapu today.
Mr. Luo said the investor is focusing at developing the flotation system at the concentrator and the underground haulage system that are obsolete.
He said the new investor is reorganising the mine to ensure facilities are put in place for improved production and overall performance of the mine.
He said the mine owners will make effective use of facilities for reduced production costs to sustain operations even in the wake of the global economic crisis.
He also assured government that management at the mine will strictly adhere to labour laws and ensure that workers are well remunerated.
Mr. Luo said his company shares government concern over some investors, who are denting the image of genuine Chinese investors, by mistreating workers and failing to adhere to labour laws.
He said all the 1,700 former employees of LCM, who lost their jobs when the mine shutdown operations, will be recruited though the exercise will be conducted in phases beginning with critical areas.
District Commissioner Mr. Kapu said the coming of NFCA to Luanshya has brought relief to the residents, who were faced with high rate of unemployment.
He said government is happy that NFCA has come at a time when most of the companies closed operations due to negatives effects of the global economic recession.
ZANIS
How are the redevelopments going to be done sans workers? Employ the workers now to help with the so called redevelopment. This will give them an opportunity to familiarize themselves with operations.
Go on NFCA and save our beloved Luanshya! When others are running away, you are running in.
Revive the city by providing jobs to the people of Ly.
Chinese people r always the same.Talking won’t change anything.We’re waiting for you to act!!!
Awe bafwilisheniko abantu bacula!
Mr. Luo & co. seem to only focus on resuming operations and the performance of the mines. I hear nothing about safety of the workers. The gov’t should ensure that there are no loop-holes before operations begin. We don not want another tragedy like we had a few years ago.
Whist all of us are happy for the Luanshya residents, it is only right and befitting at this early stage that Mr. Luo and his NFCA present their Safety, health and environment strategies to the government. This should be properly scrutinized for the benefit of everyone. “Prevention is better than Cure”. Let us avoid recurrence of the Chambeshi Mine several accidents.
These Chinese investors are exploiters, they do agree to meet all the safety measures that the govt put in place but along the line they stop adhering to the rules and the safety of the workers. In this case we have no choice, let them run the mine.
Just an excuse to bring in Chinese workers. No Zambian will be employed in the six month period. Mark my words
It may not be so soon. There is Kafwafwa in Luanshya. Just ring relatives there if you have any.