Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Luanshya sees a new dawn: Shaft 28 emerges after two decades of dormancy

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Luanshya Copper mines revitalized
De watering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mines on the Copperbelt

Luanshya witnessed a pivotal moment as President Hakainde Hichilema inaugurated the de-watering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mines, Copperbelt. His ambitious plans include revitalizing the economy and creating over 3,000 jobs. Once operational, the mine is projected to produce 40,000 metric tonnes of copper. The $500 million investment by China Non-Ferrous Metals Corporation promises to breathe new life into Luanshya’s mining sector, which has been dormant for nearly two decades.

President Hakainde Hichilema yesterday commissioned the de-watering of Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mines on the Copperbelt. The President announced ambitious plans aimed at revitalizing the local economy and creating over 3,000 jobs through the dewatering of Shaft 28 at the old Luanshya Copper Mines.The mine is expected to produce about 40,000 metric tonnes of copper once operational.

The groundbreaking ceremony, which marked the commencement of the dewatering process, was hailed as a significant milestone in the enduring relationship between Zambia and the People’s Republic of China. President Hichilema expressed gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the China Non-Ferrous Metals Corporation (CNMC) for their investment in the mine, which promises to inject new life into the region’s mining sector.

The Luanshya Copper Mine, also known as Shaft 28, has been dormant for nearly two decades. The $500 million investment by CNMC will not only create thousands of direct jobs but also stimulate economic growth in Luanshya and the Copperbelt region as a whole.

This mining project incorporates cutting-edge technology, featuring a state-of-the-art pumping system capable of relocating 170 million cubic litres of water to the Kafue River. This system will not only facilitate water evacuation but also support a variety of agricultural activities, including fish farming, en route.

“This moment holds a special emotional significance for some of us. Since our time in opposition, each visit to this place, made under challenging political circumstances such as violence and arrests, had been accompanied by our steadfast commitment to rejuvenate this valuable asset upon our election into office.We therefore worked quietly but fiercely to develop comprehensive plans for the revival of the Luanshya Copper Mines. Therefore, it is with immense joy and satisfaction that we witness the fruition of this project as a fulfilment of promise to the people of Luanshya.

We dedicate this achievement to the people of Zambia, who have entrusted us with the constitutional mandate to serve in public office. We commit to improving their livelihoods through such ventures.” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema emphasized the government’s commitment to delivering development and improving livelihoods for all Zambians. He assured the people of Luanshya that his administration is dedicated to reviving the mining sector and creating employment opportunities across various industries.

The Head of State thanked the people of Luanshya for believing in his administration that has started achieving deliverables within two years of forming government.

“Our duty is to make sure that shaft 28 comes back into production which will create jobs for the people of Luanshya,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema added that just like the Mopani transaction, his administration is also fixing Konkola Copper Mine and Mingomba Mines, a deal that is in the pipeline.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe echoed the President’s sentiments, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise to revamp the mines. He highlighted the significance of the Shaft 28 project in contributing to Zambia’s copper production targets and driving economic growth.

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mine Chairperson Wang Jingiun outlined the technical aspects of the project, stating that approximately 170 million cubic meters of water will be pumped out using custom-designed pumps. This water will be utilized for electricity generation and agricultural activities, further enhancing the project’s impact on the local economy.

The de-watering of Shaft 28 is expected to produce about 40,000 metric tonnes of copper once operational, contributing significantly to Zambia’s national production targets.

Luanshya residents during the commisioning of the de-watering of shaft 28

Meanwhile Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Charles Milupi promised that Chisenge-Luanshya Road will be improved into a first-class tarmac road.

Earlier, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo disclosed that his Ministry will gift Luanshya with 11 kilometers of tarmac road.

Mr Nkombo urged the people of Luanshya to support President Hichilema’s agenda of developing all sectors of the economy in all parts of the country.

And Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu implored the youths of Luanshya to take advantage of the empowerment opportunities that government is currently experiencing.

Meanwhile, Roan Member of Parliament Joel Chibuye charged that the local people are a priority when it comes to employment opportunities and other empowerment programmes.

As the de-watering process commences, anticipation is high among the residents of Luanshya, who eagerly await the positive impact this project will have on their community and the wider Copperbelt region.

The commissioning of de-watering of shaft 28 in Luamshya
Luanshya residents during the commissioning of the de-watering of shaft 28
Luanshya
Excited Luanshya residents rush to greet President Hichilema at the chagrin of the security

29 COMMENTS

  1. ………

    Dormant gor 20 years ?

    Yet the useless opposition are complaining……..ati he sold the mines….??

    HH waku leka fye………….

    I have been telling you……..

    Now…….

    Forwadee 2031………

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  2. I hope the water being pumped will first be treated before release into the environment. We often get excited and go with the flow!

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  3. There you have it! For TWENTY (20) years people were sleeping ndwii while this asset was wasting away. Then HH brings in investment to revamp the mine and create jobs. You will now hear the opposition why didnt he give it to Zambians ? Lol 🙂

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  4. This time, I will wait until the project takes shape before celebrating. Did I read properly that he said they are looking for investors for KCM and Mingomba? Yet we already celebrated the return of Vandetta

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    • You mean which planet? Bees are earthly creatures, so they are everywhere….kikiki

    • Pulika chabe……..

      There are many more milestones to celebrate………..

      I feel sorry for you………

      Including………forwadee 2031……….

      Will you survive that long…….?????

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    • The tribalists are angry even when he creates jobs for their people. Frederick Chipuba and Michael Satan handed over these mines and other industries to white people, because in their uneducated stupidity, white people always solve everything. The white people failed, and destroyed our country. HH is now to trying to revive it, bit by bit, but the offspring of the Satan and Chipuba are angry

  5. Honestly let’s pray for the best results. This is a good move for recovery. We have to appreciate where its good.

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  6. Can Kasonde for EFF comment? He opened his mouth widely on TiK -Tok saying government failed to open Luanshya mine. EFF has on manifesto not even a oneline to convince Zambians to vote for them.

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  7. This is a massive success story, yet you see the crap writers out in force writing nonsense.
    Is it any wonder that so many Zambians are illiterate, ignorant and live in poverty.
    Classic case of poverty of the mind.

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  8. This is still a promise like other numerous promises the privatization thief has not fulfilled. He is going back to the assets he did not managed to sell 20 years ago. Someone with the heart of citizens should not have evaluated and sold ZCCM assets for pocket change. This will be another 14hrs, load shedding, mealie meal, fuel dept restructuring story that has been a story his rule. UPND has been looking for something to cerebrate about for the past two and half years in government, yet the reality on the ground has been increased suffering on the people. I feel sorry for the people of Luanshya who will wait unemployed for another two and half years when the realize that this is another lie.

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  9. It’s good for the people of Luanshya and Zambia at large. But HH should not use this as political point. The study to to dewatering the shaft started more than four years ago. The Chinese didn’t just wake up and decided to do this job. It’s a costly exercise which needed deep due diligence. That time Kambwili fielded a candidate for Roan, the PF tried to use the reopening of 28# in their campaign but it didn’t work because LCM were very far from finishing their study. I speak from a solid ground.

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