Government says production at new Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) under the ownership of a new investor China Non-Ferrous Meter Mining Group Corporation (NFCA) is not expected to commence immediately.
Mines and Mineral Development Minster Maxwell Mwale said NFCA will need time to mobilize before production can commence at the mining company.
He said production out of the mine is not expected until 3-6 months later because the owners Enya mined out all the developed reserves therefore the operations of concentrator are not expected to resume soon.
Mr. Mwale explained that during this period of 3-6 months the new investor will concentrate on re-engineering the concentrator and the associated infrastructure.
‘ NFCA is expected to start afresh new mining operations before it starts its production activities, he added.
He told journalists in Lusaka today, that NFCA will however re-open immediately the Baluba underground mine currently on care and maintenance .
He added that NFCA will immediately start the programme of developing the Miliashi mine which is expected to reach full production capacity in three years.
The Mines Minster said the company is also expected to employ 3000 employees and keep and run the Luanshya Mine Hospital, the Shaft and Mine Township Clinics, the Mine Trust School and Mine Sports and Social Clubs.
Mr. Mwale also disclosed that a team of government officials under the Mine Safety Department yesterday were on site to take stock of Assets as per Asset register.
He pointed out that NFCA will enter into supply and works contractors with local supplies, contractors and consultants to start the process of registration of service providers.
He stressed that the people of Luanshya are likely to benefit from the new investor as the company intends to develop a modern shopping complex and market.
Government through ZCC-IH has acquired a 25 percent stake in the new Luanshya Mine to be operated by NFCA , the subsidiary of China Non- Ferrous Metal Mining Group Corporation limited.
The stake represents a five percent increase in share holding from 15% held by the investment company in the former Luanshya mine.
ZANIS
That doesn’t sound like a viable explanation to me. The copper is there, production must start immediately. No more white elephants.
What are the people going to eat?
china oyeeee.
iyeee twafwa.ubuchushi bwaisa.
I Agree with you # 1.why treating people nga baice.Yesterday you said something else, today you change the story.
PRODUCTION CAN START AND THEY CAN BE SENDING THE CONCENTRATES TO CHAMBISHI IN THE MEAN TIME RATHER THAN SAYING IT WILL TAKE 3-6 MONTHS FOR THEM TO RESUME PRODUCTION. IF THEY STICK TO THAT THEN LET THEM EMPLOY THE PEOPLE AND PUT THEM ON PAYROLL AS THEY HOPE TO RESUME PRODUCTION. IFI BALEFWAYA UKUCHITA HOW DIFFERENT IS IT WITH PUTTING THE MINE ON CARE AND MAINTENANCE. IWE MAXWELL POSAKO AMANO ABANTU BALAFWA KUNSALA KU LUANSHYA.MWILATWANGASHA TATULI BAICE.
WHY?
And then what??
Excuses even before you begin work??? sheer laziness and lack of commitment from word go???
ma rubbish ayo manje…Kaleza ka ning’ambe!!
Bushe kanshi naku Luanshya ni Choncoli? Slowly but surely we are becoming a colony!
Ine chifundo pa Luanshya njala!!!!! Brothers you can scoop a good chick over a packet of lifebouy or ebu bathing soap.For a bottleof vaseline you will experience what you have never experienced! I feel sorry for the daughters of Ly.Things are terribly bad,pliz start production now!!!!!!!
Simplicity at it’s worst!! The Minister is not telling the truth!! Ala naifwe twalisambilila, we know these things! Viability of the chosen investor e problem. Take a look at former Nkana Hospital when Mwale says they will run the trust school etc. Government must be decisive and not expect so called investors to develop the country. I would the happiest if Rupiah was borrowing US$53 to make Luanshya Mine operative, not to buy canter hospitals!! Ba Mwale naimwe, you like too much publicity even when you know what you are saying is “tetamaboza”.
US$53 Million, ohh . I beege!!!
It’s better to hear from the mine owners than from politicians. Have the new owners made a statement? They are business people.
Yaba
we should look at the way forward to whatever problem the lwanshya mines are facing,if harm has already been done how then are we going to cope to a better lwanshya mines.
Lets look into that and choose whats best for the people of zambia so that people can acquire their day to day basic needs,the lwanshya mines should resume operations.lets remember they are people who fully depend on the mines to feed unlike ba some of us who have othe rmeans of meeting our need.
lets positively look into that and decide basing on whats best for the people.
Kaunda told you that Cu mining is a wasting asset, diversfy into agric and tourism. You never listened and because your’e too lazy good for nothings but complaints all the time! Go to Livingstone Tourist Office, you’ll find armed police men inside and outside the building but not a single brochure selling the abundant natural attractions. I feel sorry for you, you even missed an opportunity last time you had a chance to put the “right people” to lead you out of your misery. Mulelombafye ubwalwa no tumadilu twbulenshila!!!