First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has proposed to construct a 32- kilometre road to connect Solwezi to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo at a cost of US$4 million.
Briefing stakeholders at a meeting held at Floriana Lodge yesterday, FQM Survey v Consultant Ian Robinson said that the road is aimed at developing the FQM’s Kingamyambo Musonoi tailings Copper and Cobalt project at Kolwezi in the DRC.
Mr. Robinson explained that FQM proposed to upgrade an existing non-gazetted 32-KMmroad from Mwinilunga – Solwezi highway to the Zambia – DRC border which will connect with the road to Kolwezi on the DRC side of the border.
He said the road will be a single carriageway and would be built by FQMOL to SADC road construction standard.
The FQM representative said it is anticipated that 1 500 trucks per year will use the road during the mine construction phase and over 2 000 trucks per year during the mine operations.
He said road usage is likely to increase with the development of other mining projects in the DRC.
On the environment, Mr. Robinson said an Environment Impact Study will address potential environmental and social impacts and appropriate mitigation measures will be developed and implemented.
He said the road will pass through some village and fields and compensation will be
made to the affected before the project starts after an assessment is made on the
values of the loss caused by road construction
Mr. Robinson further disclosed that a weigh bridge will be built for trucks and
money taxed will be for maintenance of the road.
