Friday, March 29, 2024

RB re-opens Munali Nickel Mine

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President Rupiah Banda re-opening the Albidon Nickel Mine in Mazabuka
President Rupiah Banda re-opening the Albidon Nickel Mine in Mazabuka

President RUPIAH BANDA today officially re-opened the Munali nickel mine which was closed due to the global financial crisis.

Nickel mine has been acquired by a Chinese company JINCHUAN mining group who have invested about 37 million united states dollars in the Mine and will employ 350 workers.

Munali Nickel becomes the second mine to reopen after the Luanshya Copper Mines which closed at the peak of the global crisis and resumed operations last year.

And the Mine Union of Zambia has commended Government for ensuring that Munali Nickel Mine in Mazabuka is re-opened.

MUZ President Rayford Mbulu said the opening of the mine which has been under care and maintenance for close to a year is a relief to the Zambians especially the employees that were working at the mine.

Mr Mbulu said that his union will represent ex-workers and address fears and concerns the ex-employees have over the new owners.

He says MUZ will engage the new mine operators to ensure all ex-workers are taken back. Mr Mbulu told QFM in an interview that though the local Zambians did not take keen interest in the bidding for the takeover of the mine because of economical problems, the opening of the mine has brought a sense of comfort to the union.

He has urged the Government to ensure that indigenous Zambians benefit from the mining activities in that area.

The Munali Nickel Mine has been taken over by a Chinese firm.

QFM

44 COMMENTS

  1. And that is to those responsible of making sure that employees are respected my job well done goes to people who made it happen i dont care if it was MMD, UNIP, PF or UPND i am just happy that my fellow Zambians will get jobs…

    Have to explain myself coz it seems every blogger here has some sort of political affiliation…lol:d:)

  2. Still RB, you have to go in 2011, you have really wasted our time in zambia, taken us three steps back wards, OO lord have mess; but anyway, thanks for opening that mine, 350 miners will have food on the table at least. better than nothing-

  3. Delighted 4 those who will get jobs.By the way am praying that its just rumours that RB is Brazil bound.

  4. 3 Musukuma, tell us how RB has taken us three steps backwards, and how Sata will take us forward. This freedom of empty ranting by empty heads, awe sure.

  5. For the information of ignorant kaponyas, Brazil is the new economic powerhouse in South America, an important player in South to South cooperation. RSA recognised this a long time ago and recently President Zuma led a government delegation there to reinforce their economic relations. If RB is Brazil bound then he is on the right track. Obviously Sata and his kaponyas on this blog cannot comprehend what to them are very complex issues, bafwimwena pakunina indeke, cannot see beyond their noses.

  6. Observing Drunkenness says:
    March 26, 2010 at 23:10Zambians, do you realise that we have a problem as a people? I will tell the truth. Zambians are NOT very good or genuine people! Why do I say so? Zambians are Jealous of each other. Zambians laught at other Zambians when someone fails or is in trouble. Zambians like gossiping about their friends. Zambians pretend to be what they are NOT if that will make them fit a situation. And above all, Zambians don’t see co-operation as a basis for sustainable development in the Country. Zambians love positions even when they know they cannot do the job but as long as it benefits them – what I call theft by trick. Zambians think they are rich just because they are better than a poor neighbour. Zambians can show you their teeth (grin and not…

  7. Zambians think they are rich just because they are better than a poor neighbour. Zambians can show you their teeth (grin and not genuine smile) and yet deep down their heart they would rather see you dead. Zambians will NOT genuinely criticise a person in order to help him, instead they would watch you do wrong or even encourage you BUT they laugh at you when you are in trouble or fail. Honesty is the best policy but most Zambians aren’t honest. The result is that there are no successful business ventures jointly owned by Zambians, continuity in project development is impossible because if someone is doing well, they become jealousy and undermine that oerson. I can give you a list of all the wrong things about us as Zambians that will make development IMPOSSIBLE unless SOME VERY strong…

  8. #10, I feel sorry for you because you are ‘great’. How true is your ‘truth’ about zambians?? For you to come to a conclusion that Zambians are that or this, you must experience each and every of the about 12 million zambians both living in and outside zambia. Your conclusion is very wrong because as far as I know, you have not experienced me, i am one of the 12 million zambians. Take time and study the very basics of Logic. It will certainly help you so that you do not make these Fallacies of generalisation.

  9. I can give you a list of all the wrong things about us as Zambians that will make development IMPOSSIBLE unless SOME VERY strong leader emerges. With all this said – Where does one think meaningful development would start from? Surely, not from Zambians, by Zambians for the Zambians – NEVER!!!

  10. # 10 & 11
    Very good observation.Why is it that Zambians are spoken as being good outside Zambia? Secondly,why is it that Zedians dont develop in their own land but succeed outside.Simple,we are not genuine and envious of others making good strides in life.They will congratulate you but the real translation inside their hearts is the total opposite(plotting your downfall).They will spend a great deal of time scheming to bring down their own and when they succeed in thier evil schemes,they have some braai and beer while saying: talingana,enze kuzimvesa maningi.The thinkin in most zambias is not progressive,thats why I dont blame those learned professors and Successful businessmen who decide(d) to relocate or stay in the Diaspora forever.These people want to contribute to the nation but due

  11. #12, Thank you for your defensive comment. Well, I also used to think like you that I am different from some of the people in Zambia. Well, I don’t need to experience 12 million people’s attitudes at all. I have worked and travelled widely thoughout Zambians and many sub-saharan african countries. Tell me one trait that I have observed which is NOT true by most Zambians. In order to draw a graph you DO NOT need to plot a point at every point of the continuum. Agood represebtative sample would help you do it. I have met and interacted with over a million Zambians both at home and in the diaspora – most of these observations are there for anyone to see.Try it and you will agree with me.

  12. #10, #11, #14 – I totally agree with #10 in every way though – I would mot say NEVER because people do change over generations. What makes Zambians this way today could change over generations just like we are slowly killing tribalism.
    Truelly, it is really sad to live in such a community. However, as a passionate believer in Change I am willing to challenge for the Presidency of Zambia at a later time in my life BUT I will first start a campaign to change this mentality among Zambians in a practical and assimilating way. Yes, we can OBAMA said and did!!! True #14, I can add one more. When someone does well, Zambians would rather ‘You are lucky’ instead of saying congratulations my friend, can I learn the recipe. Well, this observation #10 is good food for thought to us all…

  13. #12, don’t be in denial. You probably harbour most of the traits highlighted by #10 BUT you are in DENIAL. If you don’t have those traits then you one of the many good and genuine Zambians so keep it up. But if you harbour anyone of them, reflect and change and start thinking positively about yourself, your neighbour and other memebers of the Zambian community. It is the individual attitudes towards other members of the community that forms a basis of good society. Don’t simply go to church and say GOD when at night your thoughts are EVIL. Let us avoid all these jealousy traits and make Zambia a better place for all tolive and do business.

  14. Observer #15, please be carefull you dont fall victim to depression. Mourning about Zambians is not very helpfull for your health. I hope you will agree that all people have some weaknesses, everything you have said above can be said about all peoples regardless of nationality. Try to befriend non-Zambinas while you are in England, be true to yourself and make independent judgements. good luck

  15. Last time i said what #11 has just writen about us zambian, wahhh someone jumped at me like a lion, he /she did not agree with me. But it is true, us zambian, we are very few would appreciate and say congrats, when one does something good, most of them, will be like waiting for someone to fall.# 18, most Wet Africans when abroad do help each other- am i wrong? Americans in zambia help each other, congolise, somalians, to mention a few. Maybe am wrong help me-

  16. The opposition and the biased press are choking with jealous, and running out of reasons (other than useless red ribbon) as to why Rupiah Banda should be voted out and replaced with a convicted criminal. Look MMD has made sure Luanshya mine was reopened with a fresh capital injection of US$400 Million. We saw the unprecedented expansion of the Nakabala sugar estate by Illovo of South Africa. Now we have witnessed the reopening of the nickel mine. Inflation is at 10% and the global recession is now in rear view mirror, why should MMD and Rupiah be voted? I invite your comments.

  17. :d:d:d while you are at it, please add that Zambians are also generally ilogical….how do you explain their support for one politician who if in another country, would been sent to the recycle bin! :d:d:d

  18. #20…the reason MMD should be voted out is that you have eaten enough, let other parties rule so that other people can also be sent to the UK like you! :d:d:d and please dont defect if MMD losses and your job goes to the wire….hope you are saving or investing….friendly advice mwana :d:d:d

  19. Cant believe that someone above blogged that one of the reasons RB has to go to Brazil is coz J.Zuma has been there!

  20. #22, the reason you have given for voting MMD is a clear symbol of jealous. MMD must be vote out because THEY ARE NOT PERFORMING. The Country requires a development oriented leadership with a clear vision and milestones. MMD has rules for close to 19 years now but save for the short LPM period, the party has NOT delivered. The 10 chiluba wasted years took us back to the 1958 era when very few Zambians were educated or had access to social services. The mass unemployment that followed his drunken and lumpenic leadership caused untold hardships that killed many Zambians. And now to imagine that crook Chiluba instigating who we should vote for just angers many of us.MMD at the moment requires purging to remove all the remnants of the Chiluba era in people like Mulongoti, etc. Vote them out!!

  21. The re-opening of Munali Nickel mine inflation in the next quarter might go back to single digit.The only problem is the ordinary Zambian will not benefit much from it because the taxes are very low. What we needed are the windfall taxes and then the economy will be back on track.That is why the IMF advised the Zambian government to increase tax revenues especially for the foreign investors. The problem we have in Zambia is pride by the MMD government to accept that they were wrong to abolish the windfall taxes.And yet they can reintroduce it and name it something else if they fear to be embarrassed in case they fear politicking.I tend to wonder on the blog that whenever someone says they want MMD out people always others respond to Sata taking over, why cant they say HH or Nawakwi e.g#8&9

  22. The Chinese woman is dressed in Red… of-course it means something else to the Chinese, but I wonder if someone in the crowd found this significant considering how much noise is being made about waving red cards:d**==

  23. This is a good move. More jobs for the people. We commend the govt for their efforts in re-opening the Nickel Mine. This is good for the people, the economy and the country as a whole.

    ——————————————
    “A red card should be shown against Mr Sata and Mr Hakainde. They are the ones who are breaking the rules of our politics in this country,”</b

  24. MR PRESIDENT,
    350 NEW JOBS IS WORK WELL DONE.ANY MINE RE-OPENING IS TEN STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.ZAMBIA HAS LESS THAN HALF MILLION EMPLOYEES IN THE FORMAL SECTOR.ANY BODY WHO HARD A PERCENTAGE TO THAT NUMBER MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.ANY BODY PLANNING TO REDUCE THE SAME MUST GO FOR BRAIN RE-ALIGNMENT.SO FORGET ABOUT THE RED CARDERS .A GIVE YOU A GREEN.

  25. MR PRESIDENT,
    350 NEW JOBS IS WORK WELL DONE.ANY MINE RE-OPENING IS TEN STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.ZAMBIA HAS LESS THAN HALF MILLION EMPLOYEES IN THE FORMAL SECTOR.ANY BODY WHO ADD A PERCENTAGE TO THAT NUMBER MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.ANY BODY PLANNING TO REDUCE THE SAME MUST GO FOR BRAIN RE-ALIGNMENT.SO FORGET ABOUT THE RED CARDERS .A GIVE YOU A GREEN.

  26. Does it not make sense to anybody that we follow the pattern of our Constitution, we follow the pattern of our predecessors that if somebody is the President he must become the President for the full tenure?”
    Which Constitution does His Excellency Rupiah Bwezani Banda follow? Is there an unwritten rule which we do not know about. Mamamamama. We are in trouble as a nation bane. Chikashike mwebantu.

  27. it can be foolish of zambian to rejoice that Chinese hav invested $37 million thinking they have just invested for no reason. 350 today will 3500 jobless tomorrow when the Chinese reap all they saw. we dont need investors zambian government has enough funds to run the mine but why bringing in investors? the question is what does the government of zambia run apart from waiting for tax payers money, attracting investors and asking for money? if zambia had a good leader i think it can run a lot of companies than privatizing them, that shows the leader you have now only think of today. if you check on BBC country profiles you will see that zambia has moved from one of the richest african country to the poorest. they say its because of diseases but that’s not the reason,poor management of…

  28. #32 re-read the BBC country profile and you find it not disease the main cause as you allege but one of them.Infact the exact words are:A colonial legacy, mismanagement, debt and disease are said to have contributed to the country’s tribulations.

  29. Let facts be known. Albidon was put under care nad maintenance due to the low nickel prices hence revenue could not tally the loans that the company had. Jinchuan had given a lot of money to Albidon for the nikel production. The reopening of the mine is because the nickel prices have gone up and Jinchuan has taken over the mine to secure their loan. It has COMPLETELY got nothing to do with MMD, RB or any other politician. Its business. If RB wants to get credit on Albidon mine let him make sure that the Immigration office does not give work permits for people to work at the mine as accountants, storemen, engineers, administrators when we have plenty qualified Zambians who can’t get those jobs.

  30. Zambians ( could take over Munali ALONE !!

    majors companies like glencore, Vedanta, FQM give only crumbs to zccm-ih (investments are completed but for exemple Kansanshi has paid only 3 m$ in 2009 whereas the amount of minority interest is overtaking 300m$ !!)
    Unfortunately money is kept in the mines and used by the majority shareholders for new projects in all in the world for which ZCCM-IH is not a shareholder
    Interests of these companies is to leave ZCCM-IH in agony, no money for developing zambia BY ZAMBIANS…

  31. When a citizen like HH wants to make a genuine contribution to the flood victims (by-passing the corrupt and inefficient DMMU, of course), the MMDists claim he trying to gain cheap political mileage. When RB tries to align himself with glory (the Munali mines, promising K11b to youth on youth day, etc) they don’t see it as trying to gain cheap political mileage. Makes one wonder

  32. 34 You are partially correct, and it also true that that deal started even before the nickel prices picked up. But if you have such detailed information you should not conveniently hide the fact that the matter is not as simple as you portray it. The Zambian (RB’s) government played a key role in assisting to close that deal. Also remember that in business there is the concept of cutting your losses, i.e. if Jinchuan did not have any confidence in Zambia’s economic environment or policies, they would have minimised their loss by not investing huge amounts of additional funds in that mine. Certainly they would not have done so if the president was Sata or if they saw any chance of Sata coming to power in the near future. You are not the only one with facts so don’t give half truths.

  33. KCM for song.

    Munali for $37 US million.

    Can anybody do some maths on inflation and see which one was a BARGAIN?
    Or
    Is it the same LOW PRICES fire sales.

  34. 38 => Facts?
    Jinchuan Group : working capital facility $37 million and a separate $12.6 million facility from the bank to purchase underground mining equipment. So near $ 50m
    Compared to hundred millions owing to zccm-ih (minority interests) but not paid by mining companies such as FQM, Mopani

    Why RB does not require foreign companies to give money to zccm-ih ?

    Of course Zambian people are qualified for those jobs !!

    So…low mineral tax, windfall tax scrapped, Chinese employees, future profits for Jinchuan, few jobs for Zambians which be removed during the next crisis, and…. zambian slaves and robbed Zambia

    what a wonderful Zambia for foreign compagnies… 🙁

  35. 39 =>

    2004 : grz(zccm) sold 51% KCM to vedanta (sterlite) for near $50 million
    2008 : zci sold 28,4% KCM to vedanta for $223 million

    today analysts evaluate KCM at least $3,6 billion ($2,9 billion part of vedanta 79,4%)

    According to you, which one was a BARGAIN.. ;-&#41;)

    one more time Zambia was robbed by foreign companies, thanks to IMF

  36. 38 => “The Zambian (RB’s) government played a key role”
    Katie, a comment perhaps for the grz key role for disaster of Luanshya…;-)

    comments of Ken Ramoutar Seecharran, a mining expert, on his blog, author of “Luanshya report” September 2009

    THE INEPTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT’s INTELLIGENCE (ZCCM-IH), COULD NOT DECIPHER WHAT WAS GOING ON, DESPITE HAVING A FULLY-FLEDGED MINING PROFESSIONAL WITH A SEAT ON THE BOARD…….. AND THEY REMAINED IN THEIR HEIGHTENED STATE OF SOMNOLENCE, STYMIED BY THE RHETORIC OF THEIR PAYMASTER, TO WHICH THEY SLOVENLY AND OBSEQUIOUSLY CONDESCENDED, IN AN ATTEMPT TO PORTRAY THAT FALSE SUPERCILIOUSNESS, WHILE THE MINE COLLAPSED BEFORE THEIR INCOMPETENT EYES. A MODERN DAY EXAMPLE OF “NERO FIDDLING….AS ROME BURNED”, SAFELY ENSCONCED IN…

  37. following : comments of Ken Ramoutar Seecharran, a mining expert, on his blog, author of “Luanshya report” September 2009

    THE INEPTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT’s INTELLIGENCE (ZCCM-IH), COULD NOT DECIPHER WHAT WAS GOING ON, DESPITE HAVING A FULLY-FLEDGED MINING PROFESSIONAL WITH A SEAT ON THE BOARD…….. AND THEY REMAINED IN THEIR HEIGHTENED STATE OF SOMNOLENCE, STYMIED BY THE RHETORIC OF THEIR PAYMASTER, TO WHICH THEY SLOVENLY AND OBSEQUIOUSLY CONDESCENDED, IN AN ATTEMPT TO PORTRAY THAT FALSE SUPERCILIOUSNESS, WHILE THE MINE COLLAPSED BEFORE THEIR INCOMPETENT EYES. A MODERN DAY EXAMPLE OF “NERO FIDDLING….AS ROME BURNED”, SAFELY ENSCONCED IN THEIR ZCCM-IH IVORY TOWER!!!!!!

    carry on RB and your clique…. you are the best !!!

  38. # 38 what key role did the RB government play in the deal between Jinchuan and Albidon??? Do not be so sure that they would have not still taken over had Sata been president. In any case Iam sure Sata could have had a better plan for the nation than RB and team. Business is about win win situations. Even with Sata at the helm the Jinchuan would still have continued with the Albidon takeover or would have found a buyer for it. Either way that mine would still have been commissioned. I do not claim monopoly to facts because facts are general knowledge but it beats me that comments that are being made do not make general knowledge so general!

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