Friday, April 19, 2024

Lumwana mine construction reaches advanced stage

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Construction works of the largest copper mine in Africa by Equinox at Lumwana have reached an advanced stage.

Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary, Jeston Mulando, who toured the mine yesterday, commended Lumwana Mine management for the infrastructure which were being put up at the mine site.

Mr Mulando said the economic out look at Lumwana was looking positive with such infrastructure.

Mr. Mulando expressed happiness that Lumwana mine had recruited the local people who included women, and trained them as drivers of the largest trucks in the world known as EUCLID.

Some of the major works being undertaken include the 5 km long converyor belt from the primary crusher to the process plant, a chemical storage shed, twin tower laboratory and a largest mill in the world.

The Permanent Secretary urged mining companies not to be scared of the recent announcement by President Levy Mwanawasa on plans to increase mineral royalties and company tax.

Mr. Mulando said mines would still make enough profit with the 47 per cent tax, adding that mining companies should partner with bio-producers to cut down on the high price of fuel.

He advised Lumwana mine to procure materials from the local people to empower them for their livelihood, adding that most of them were not in employment and not everyone would be employed in the mine.

And Lumwana Managing Director, Harry Micheal, said 320 housing units have been completed for junior workers and have targeted to construct 1,000 more houses.

Mr. Micheal said that management wanted to complete construction works on time so that by the end of June this year full production of copper commences.

He said the increase in tax was a blow to his company since they were still in construction phase.

He lamented that soon after the President’s announcement on the increase in tax by mines, Equinox had lost three million US dollars.

The Managing Director however, said he would travel to Lusaka to seek clarification from Government on the details of how they would effect the new tax regime on mines.

17 COMMENTS

  1. Enough has been said on the development and advancement of the Lumwana mine including the housing units too. Now we want to hear about the building of schools, colleges, and hospitals/clinics. This is what completes human habitat not forgetting the malls and sports arena infrastracture. WE want to hear about this TOO !!!!!

  2. There is no need for the inverstor to build all this, that is what they did to our parents who worked for the mines, free food,light bulbs,medical,houses, water and electricity etc, but if u look at it closely you will find out that it is cheap for the investor to do all these things than for him to just pay employees enough money to get a mortgage and pay all their bills,in short give employees enough to run their own lives.this is the smock screen investors put up in africa and not in the west

  3. cont`d
    People today can not pay zesco, zamtel,the councils, coz themine employers did brain wash them, thinking that everything in life is for free, they worked for these mines most of their lives and at the end of the day, they had nothing to look to for all their efforts, to house to retair to and all you are given is transport money to go back to your village, this should not be repeated, so kansashi,please give people enough to live on and own your own house.

  4. jb you are absolutely right! recall what happened to the sick chief in solwezi? instead of building a hospital to cater for all.. the mine owners simply bought the chief a $5000 dollar dialysis machine and took him to south africa for treatment? what about the common man..what is the take for him? zambians do not be deceived by these greedy investors? it is high time the people benefited from the copper. we are all zambians and entitled to our copper…! wake up fellow zambians…?

  5. So guys the chief could have waited for the hospital to be constructed.Another point to note, its not the investors job to provide scholls, hospitals, etc for our relatives in zambia, but they can add amenities to support communities where they invest.Simple you open a small grocery do you laso pave the road to the shop? We are awake …. just looking in the right direction.Govt must build infrastructure, not an investor, ist not a MUST but courtesy.

  6. miyoba go look after your late father’s cattle, which he inherited from his dead uncle? do you know how much money these greedy investors will make within the first five years of production? under kaunda the mines were obliged to create the infracture? mine hospitals provided the best treatment, they supported mpelembe secondary school, we had the best soccer teams on the CB? how old are you anyway? do your home work…..it’s either you’re too young to understand or plain stupid?

  7. hi am a third year student studying Surveying engineering at the University of Zambia.I would like to know the procedure and contact details for one to apply for industrial attachment in your firm.I am very much interested to join you for this cause.

  8. As a concerned citizen, i urge the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to concider the loss of our National team by 5 goals to nil as there blame. This is due to nepotism introduced in FAZ.
    This can be proved from the evidence that when Kalusha Bwalya was the coach, the bembas could say as much as they could. So does the nyanjas with phiri.
    FAZ should also improve in its ways of selecting players for we are tied of having those from copperbelt and Lusaka provinces only. I wonder why its even called International when it does not cover the whole Nation.

  9. please lets support the investor.we should stop blaming them for lack of development.When these mines are fully operational, they will employ our people who inturn will pay tax.The govt should use these monies to build schools and hospitals.The problem we have as Zambians is that we what to reap where we did sow.These investors have mobilised alot of resources for this project to take off.Its common knowledge that every grown up Zambia knew that there were minerals deposits in Lumwana,but did not take up the challenge to develop the mines.please leave the investors alone so that our children can get jobs and pay tax which govt must plough back into the communities around Lumwana and solwezi

  10. You have done the good job continue donig that.

    I’m here by applying for employment in you mining company.
    I’m a zambian aged 28.
    I have qualifications in Bricklaying and plasterig G5,
    carpentry and joinary G7 and knowlege in Plumbing, Power electrical. I will be very grateful if my application is considered

    MY E-mail Address is [email protected]

  11. You have done the good job continue donig that.

    I’m here by applying for employment in you mining company us a civil engineer.
    I’m a zambian aged 28.
    I have qualifications in Bricklaying and plasterig G5,
    carpentry and joinary G7 and knowlege in Plumbing, Power electrical. I will be very grateful if my application is considered

    MY E-mail Address is [email protected]

  12. Dear sir/madam

    i am completing my course in mechanical fitting craft at MTTI in mufulira

    i here by apply for attatchments in your reputable company to gain more experience

    your consideration to my comment will be appreciated.

  13. Dear sir/madam

    i am completing my course in mechanical fitting craft at MTTI in mufulira

    i here by apply for attatchments in your reputable company to gain more experience

    your consideration to my comment will be appreciated
    Contact line
    +260961283161

  14. Dear sir/madam

    i am completing my course in mechanical fitting craft at Mufulira Technical Training Institute in mufulira

    i here by apply for attatchments in your reputable company to gain more experience

    your consideration to my comment will be appreciated
    Contact line
    +260961283161

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