BHP Billiton mining company is scheduled to commerce copper exploration in Western Province next month. BHP community manager Adam Lees said his company will next month move in the area to start exploring copper deposits in the entire province.
Mr. Lees said the area survey will be conducted using a plane with large sensors that measure the magnetic properties of rocks both at and below the surface.
He said the system will enable easy identification of copper deposits and to effectively screen large areas for potential mineral deposits. Mr. Lees said this when his team paid a courtesy call on the Provincial Permanent Secretary’s office.
And Western Province Permanent Secretary Ikanuke Noyoo commended the company for exploring for potential copper deposits in the province.
Mr.Noyoo said once detected, copper deposits would enhance economic development in the province and the nation as a whole.
He said the move had the potential to boost the economy through employment creation which would in turn, help eradicate poverty in the province.
ZANIS
These guys have got a large area in Mumbwa also under exploration. Maybe they shouldtell us what the results are in Mumbwa because I suspect pipo are busy mining our resources in the name of exploration.
The post newspaper has got a story that the same company is shelving plans for any major project to reduce on there risk, someone, somewhere educate me!!!
how do u trust a company that calls itself biltong???
I hope it is not going to be another spirit of the river gimmick, can someone tell me why the government likes bringing brief case companies in our country?
I hope the Litunga is not a beneficiary or a sharehold like it was in the spirit of river scam.
Never knew there were copper deposits in Barotseland. Being close to the Angolan border, I would have naturally suspected Diamonds and other precious stones.
A little bit of history which may be irrelevant but history nonetheless. Did you know that Barotse land Pre 1964 included what we call today the copperbelt? The prospects of copper deposits in western province is a very positive factor. However, should anything materialise, we need to ensure there is some sort of social contract with the mining companies to ensure local development.
#2,3,4
Which planet have you been living on. Some of you should just shut up when you have nothing to say. You are not obliged to comment on everything. My Friend do a google search and come back and see if you will describe BHP Billiton as a brief case business.
For your own information in case you are lazy to google BHP Billiton is the world’s largest mining company listed on the all the world major Exchanges. Please don’t expose your ignorance like that.
Ladies and gents,do a bit of reserach before you comment on certain issues.BHP Billiton is a giant in the metals’ business.They have mines all over the world,from Australia to Canada…………and I think they’re more credible than these Chinese investors that you’re flirting with.
#s 7 and 8 well said. Maybe we should blame our poverty and education system because some people are just plain ignorant.
BHP Billiton is not a briefcase company.
It is the biggest mining/steel and other minerals company in the world.
if not first then some kind of deal recently moved them from the top.
BHP will build modern infrastructure with advanced technologies.
They dont play games with billions of dollars in sales per year.
BHP was the biggest company in Australia and Billiton was a British mining or steel company and they joined together in recent years.
From exploration to commencement of work is years but maybe Rupiah intends to rush things through.
Good for BHP if they do and good for all the workers who get a job with a fine company.
I wish i worked for BHP in Australia but i don’t.
thank you #7 & #8. I was begining to get worried about the level of knowledge and awareness.. to reiterate. The group has annual revenues nearing $500 billion. BHP Billiton is the sort of company every country wants to have come through. As far as their Human resource policy, they are one of (if not the best) employers in the sector. from Training, Intra group global opportuunities and movement of staff, emoluments, local expertise etc… This is good news and RB & Max Mwale should spend most of their time courting their interest, ensuring they put up another Lumwana.
#2,3 &4 Please, spare your ignorance. BHP is a giant. the two biggest mining companies in the world are Rio Tinto and BHP.
It would be wonderful to have BHP in Zambia. These Chinese are Indian mining companies are nothing. They are just feloow poor people exploting fellow poor people.
If you want world class mine operators with very high standards and quality work conditions, please bring in BHP and Rio Tinto.
1. If you buy a business for $1million and you generate $50,000 of Net profit per annum it will take you 20 years to make profits from your investments. BHP are taking other factors into concideration like taking into account the value of copper deposits. If the copper deposits are worth $200million and they have to invest $150million in set up and operations then its going to be a bad investment (both in short and long term).
We Zambians have a problem, we always expect/want invetsors and developed countries develop our standard of living and develop our country. Why should BHP come and develop Zambia? them coming here and creating employment is enough, if they spend $10million in their exploration its their own risk and if they find the copper they are looking for it will be a reward of their risk. I hate it when people expect someone to develop Zambia when we can do it on our own.
Because our leaders like corruption, we have ended up having Chinese and indians all over our mines. It would be good to have decent mine owners for a change. Zambian workers deserve better.
The reason teh Chinese offer poor conditions of service is because that’s all they know where they come from. Similarly, the Indians. Ever seen photos from mines in China, or photos from India? Zccm was far much a better employer.
Garbage in garbage out. Our leaders should not longer rush to bring in Chinese investors. Let them spend time courting the likes of BHP and Rio Tinto, for the sake of better working conditions for Zambian workers. Even if more Chinese came, the worker’s conditions will not improve. It’s about having standards and class for yourself.
#14 That’s a good point.
I just wonder WHY we have not been able tro do it on our own.
Does anyone on this blog know why we have not be able to develop on our own?
#13-The Goverment ..Get a life!.. We are all just commenting the the news that’s come through thats all… and its good news from all angles… What are you talking about ? Do want us to be sad or chase them?
This lee man is not telling the truth. The mother company as quotated in international media the coy will not be investing in Africa. This gentleman should check his facts right and not mislead the pipo on Western Province. All major exploration of base metals have put such activities on the hold. Lets be ahead in gathering both local and international news so that we are not left behind.
#16-UK Zed Observer.. That what KK was trying to do over the years and the same buggers cut us up. By pulling the plug on Markets (suspension from London Metal Excahnge in the 80’s from formation of ZCCM.conslidation was key to us), Equipment replacement (KK instead opened Crafts and guilds training centres & operations artisans, boiler makers, + othr engineering prodtcs until our annual copper production fell to 250,000 mt pa.. Im sure KK would have off loaded on ZM stock exchanges eventually. We came in kicked him out ond gave them money to them. We should intead have privatised wth statutory minimum local ownership content. say 40%. over the years we would have built wealth to take on these giant projects. Right now difficult. it s not like growing tomatoes.
I don’t know whether to support the ideal of #14 or not. He has some points but seem to conflict himself. I believe that if any company has to extract our mineral resources then they must leave something for us Zambia to use for the development of our country.
I actually support the presence of BHP in our country.
People I had a dream – Zambia was prosperous again, no one was going to bed on an empty stomach, no one was surviving on one meal a day. Families were happy because most people had jobs, good paying jobs. Children were ever happy, they all went to school with lunch boxes full of good food and drinks. Children enjoyed school because teachers enjoyed their work, no teacher went on strike, and they were paid on time and handsomely. There was no Anti Corruption Commission because there was no corruption anyway. There was no task force, leaders and public servants didn’t steal public funds, they were content with what they earned, and they had no selfish interests. The roads everywhere were well done- tarred. People had never seen pot holes. There were no power outages
MPs never got midterm gratuities; instead they were hard working and were well known in their constituencies even by small children-third graders. No one was dying from preventable diseases, hospitals had all the essential medicines, health workers never went on strikes, no one gave birth on the street or police cells. Journalists were not beaten or harassed for reporting the truth. The ruling party and the opposition coexisted and addressed real developmental issues in their articulation. All ministers issued well thought out statements addressing real issues affecting the people
Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora enjoyed coming home to see with their own eyes the good things happening in Zambia. They boasted to talk about their country among their colleagues abroad and oversees. Our soccer team was a force to reckon with in Africa again.We all sung the national anthem with pride… This is where my dream ended last night. I tried hard to sleep again so that I can continue to dream.
This article is from todays The Post. ‘THE world’s largest mining company, BHP Billiton, has revealed plans to shelve any plans of making investments in Africa.
BHP Billiton was created through the Dual Listed Companies (DLC) merger of BHP Limited (now BHP Billiton Limited) and Billiton Plc (now BHP Billiton Plc), which was concluded on June 29, 2001.
BHP Billiton Limited and BHP Billiton Plc continue to exist as separate companies, but operate on a combined basis as BHP Billiton.
According to mining weekly, BHP chief commercial officer Alberto Calderon said this was done to minimise exposure to business risks.’
Cont’d – “We’ve said that we don’t want to put risk on risk, which means we have focused on our own backyard. The decision of the company is to really focus its investments in the medium-to-long-term timeframe in the areas that we know, in Australia, in the Gulf of Mexico, and the places where we are already invested,” said Calderon. “Having said that in the business-development space, if we should come across any tier-one possibility, we would probably get into West Africa and also into the DRC, Zambia and the Copperbelt area. If we can get hold of what we call ‘very green’ opportunities in Africa, it’s something we would do.”
Calderon said BHP Billiton would do nothing in Africa in the medium term.
BHP are not being sincere about this aeromagnetic survey because if there geophysical methods they can use for copper exploration aeromagnetics is just bad in the least. However, these are falling short of telling the truth, “the truth is the aeromagnetic survey is definitely intended to detect possible diamondiferous bodies such as kimberlites and Lamprolites which are magmatic bodies thats can give a great! magnetic signal with aeromagnetic method of exploration. They should cut the bullcrap!
Following the above article, you be the judge whether or not they are going to Zed.
There goes our copper! We dig it for them with our own sweat for peanuts and just hand it over to them like that. Why? Only to again buy the finished product from them at an Exuberant price. Kind of silly if you realy think about it
all I can do to advise most of the readers is “be careful what you wish for”……… when it comes to mining BHP are no different to any other miner. They are in the business of making money, big money!
BHP are not being sincere about this aeromagnetic survey because if there are geophysical methods they can use for copper exploration, aeromagnetics is just but in the least. However, they are falling short of telling the truth, “the truth is that the aeromagnetic survey is definitely intended to detect diamondiferous bodies such as kimberlites and lamprolites which are magnet bodies and would give great!!!! magnetic anomalies”. They should cut this bullcrap!!!
Its gud that western province is accomodating new ventures in the provinnce.This is encouraging that the usual long long protocals with the Litunga that scares away investors.Well done guys!!
People!!! I work for BHP myself right here in Australia,they have a project called Worsley E&G involved in aluminium,
another in Guinea, angola and and egypt anyone who wants to know more [email protected]
May i also advise my brother who said that the BHP Biliton is a brief case company. I dont know your level of knowledge and how far you have gone in your education. I strongly advise you to comment on things that you have an idea of or else your ignorance will always be exposed!!!!!!!
People. BHP are already in Zambia. They own 50% of Lumwana Uranium operation. They went into the business 50 50 with Equinox. They are already registered as BHP Biliton – or otehr trade name in Zambia, if im not mistaken. So they are in .. The job we have is taking US Zambia seriously!! Max Mwale should be courting them
Besides creating employment opportunities BHP has good reputation in Corporate Social Responsibilities issues. So as #33 said is just to be serious with the deal.
BHP Billiton are also big time into aluminium smelting in South Africa and Mozambique, and possibly also Congo DR in the very near future. You have not seen anyone like them in Zambia yet. To agree with my knowledgeable colleagues, they are not a mickey mouse company,
Nooyo, find the deposits first then you can dream about developments..
That will be great the lozis should stop travelling for sugar cutting in mazabuka
BHP is welcome but do not get too comfy cause these guys will take off when things get rough. Remember Anglo anyone? Of course Anglo is the epitome of evil and these guys are just a notch more ethical than Anglo.
#5ur rite, i think there is more than copper exploration goin on.diamonds diamond diamond,dos this ring a bell
One can count chicks before they are hatched. The article in the POST is it misleading or not that they will not invest in Mining in Africa meaning they might have frozen their investment for some reason. Its not a question of a coy being good but we need to see the fruits. Come on guys Chinaman & Indise are doing a commendable job to fill the gap where these giants have failed us.
Well this is why Zambia can never develop, always expecting someone to the development work for us. Why didn’t the government to the explorations? Now that BHP is here we start saying maybe there’s gold or diamonds and they want to steal our minerals. Do you even know how much money BHP is spending on these explorations? $millions and do you know how much it might cost them setting up the operation? $$millions. Lets not just comment for the sake of it but think before we post anything.
#42The Government and others “atleast you are among the few people on the blog who can see things as i do. And i always mention these things to people on the blog and elsewhere the foreign investing companies do not come to develop the country they come to do business and to make as much profit as possible with less expenses. The ones to develop Zambia are the Zambians themselves not expecting someone else from elsewhere to do it for them. And its iup to the government to set up a high standard so as to make invest do the right thing in the way the people of Zambia want. Thats why LPM and his administartion made sure of windfall taxes, that was the money used for development. To reduce beggingof money from the west and be self reliant as a NATION. RECENTLY a foreign companies in Zambia…
Cont. sold nickel and made huge profits and if the windfall taxes were still there Zambia would have benefited 6 million dollars. Now because windfall takes were scraped off by the new administartion, Zambia only made 300,000 dollars. See a huge difference. Poor management of the country…They think as if if they reduce tax then they are helping investors. Yet they are killing ordinary Zambians. NOw its up to us as Zambians to develop Zambia not to wait for someone out there whom we dont know. Its like knowledge we move from known to unknow. Not vice versa.
For anything from £20 – £100 per month can we build an investment vehicle for Zambia, the necessary dividends being paid when applicable. Uk based Zambians let us have a go and we can then choose insititutions and credible people to run the fund based on the appropriate financial regulations. Let us come up with a list of interested people.
I am willing to be contact for collection of the list. E-mail [email protected]
good move but we all know that there diamonds and oil so do zambians justice
I once worked for BHP Biliton at Samancor in RSA. They will not allow anyone to enter the premises, Even if you are the President or GM, without safety clothing and awareness. Their safety management system is second to none in the mining industry. All information about safety is shared amount there companies. Eg if you trip and fall down and sustain a scratch, people in another mine in South America will know about it the following day. These are the right sort of people to deal with. Last time they were trying to open a mine in Mozambique but Mozambique does not have a well developed grid.
it would be good to do our own wxploratioon but do we have the expertise? and how long would it take to build. I agree it would be gr8 to do all this ourselves but we have not developed the expertise. World over , the big proven experienced firms go for rhe big deals so we could be expecting too much to ask Govt to explore. However if there is a group of Zambians to have the expertise and Finances to carry out such explorations, I would be happy to fight to get you a license. Mind you there are lots of Zambians who have mining licenses but are not operating.
I like Muzeya’s sugggestion. But I wonder if any of you critics are willing to put your money where mouth ( or is it laptop these days) is
48.
POSITIVIST PA ZED,
” it would be good to do our own wxploratioon but do we have the expertise? ”
I say yes, but even if not, you can hire expertise. If British engineers can’t be relied upon because their compatriots interests in mining in Zambia, then hire Japanese, Philipino, Chilean, etc. engineers to do the job.
There are huge dangers in foreign miners actually owning mines in Zambia. They can say ‘national interest’ when you do anything like raise taxes, they can underutilise the Zambian mines to keep prices high for their mines elsewhere, or they can avoid paying taxes and sharing profits through secret ‘development agreements’.
I do not welcome this new foreign exploration, especially as the MMD has nothing to show for decades of foreign exploration.
POSTIVIST PA ZED
I will be the first to send my cheque to whoever is intrested, even to you, let us have a go. That is our only way foward, look at the Indians, Koreans and Chinese and its about putting monetary and human resources together. Please people ,those that are willing offere your e-mails and we can get started, regardless of how small we start. We can offer our details to those that are willing to be at the forefront and the mechanisms of management can then be worked out. Give your brothers, sisters and relations to gain from the resources we have. Seems the only other option as we cant rely on politicians.
Let us not get overzealous about this supposed deal until we read the fine print. Just because BHP is, or might be a credible company, does not mean that they serve Zambia’s best interests. Are they going to sell shares to Zambians? Are they going to go into partnerships with Zambians, or simply dictate to us? These are some of the crucial questions which need to be asked. Far too often companies proclaim that they will bring development, but we end up holding an empty bag. Besides, why should we keep relying on all these huge foreign companies? We have so many mining engineers in Zambia and the diaspora, and surely they can do something to develop Zambia.
# 3 ICE which planet do you live on? You call BHP Biliton a briefcase company. Shame you need to have facts before taulaisebanya no bututu.
Kaoma district in chief mutondo’s area of the nkoya people has 3 mining companies operating in his area. The companies are mining copper and others are exploring for gold, coal, copper and oil. BHP already holds an exploration license for diamonds and that is what they are looking for. There is no other place outside kaoma district in western province that has copper deposits. The PS is been economical with the truth because BHP is looking for diamonds and probably the litunga directed the PS to give misleading information to the media so that they hide the availability of diamonds in western province. Govt must step in and tell the nation the truth. Litunga is greedy always trying to hide things from the govt and the people of zambia.
There is no problem with the giant mining group BHP investing in zed but our government leaders who might not have the capacity to make things work if we are to eradicate poverty. The investment benefits from mining operations might just reflect on paper leaving the people below the poverty datum line. More especially that the system of governance is till centralized, the Western Province might not receive enough cash to address issue of poverty.
what of petrolium exploration in north-western and western provinces? when is it going to start….BUSHE LYASHI LYAMA CAMPAIGN. we are still waiting.
It is a suprise at what the mines minister is saying.
a few years ago (2005), former minister Lembalemba said in parliament that it was government policy not to allow exploration works in Western Province (Barotseland) because that would encourage Cesessionist elements.
I believe this new move by the mines Minister, of the same ministry is just a ploy to show that government does care for the people of Western province in the light of what is coming at the end of 2011.
If BHP intends to explore, the are already exploration records that show where these minerals are, infact they show that even the much prided Lumwana and Kansanshi are just the Tip of giant Copper and Gold Iceberg in Kaoma-Likulu area of Bulozi.
They are welcome to develop these mines.
Hey guys, Just saw someone commented on spirt of the river scam, can you fill me in on that?? We are just doing some research on some of the former management. any inshight would be greatly appreciated.
spank u very much
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