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Lumwana Mine embarks on Uranium explorations

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Lumwana Mine has started carrying out explorations on Uranium and the project is scheduled to be completed in February 2008.

Mine Managing Director Harry Michael disclosed this when Solwezi District Commissioner Albert Chifita toured the Mine over the weekend.

Mr Michael expressed optimism that the project and that the mine would wait for Government to issue it with a license to enable the mine embark on mining Uranium once explorations are completed.

The Managing Director also disclosed that Lumwana spends over US$ 1.5 million a day on its operations.

“I am certain, the Uranium exploration project will be successful and will wait from the Government to give us the license to embark on Uranium Mining once the project is complete”. Mr Michael said.

Bamfuchile final farewell set for Monday

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he burial of the late former Namibia and Zambia national team coach Ben Bamfuchile will take placer tomorrow morning at Chamboli Cemetery in Kitwe.

Bamfuchile will be buried at the Nkana FC’s heroes acre at Chamboli where his late mentor Moses Simwala and contemporary Kapambwe Mulenga lie.

The funeral is expected to be thew biggest for an ex-Zambia coach since the late legendary national team and Mufulira Wanderers great Samuel “Zoom” Ndholvu died five years ago.

The burial time has not been announced but it is expected to take place after church service which is scheduled for 10:00 Zambian time at Living Waters Ministries Church in Wusakile township.

Expected to attend the funeral ceremony are Faz president Teddy Mulonga and his vice Kalusha Bwalya who was a close friend of Bamfuchile under whom the latter worked with as assistant coach from 2003 to 2006.

Namibia Football Association who were Bamfuchile’s employers until the time of his death have sent general secretary Barry Rukoro to represent the federation at Mondays funeral.

Bamfuchile was Namibia head coach from June 2006 until November this year.

Bamfuchile, 47, passed away on Thursday night in Kitwe after a long illness.

ZNTB, RDA under fire over Mufulira roads contract

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Authorities in Mufulira district in Copperbelt Province have questioned the criteria used by the Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) and the Road Development Agency (RDA) in the awarding of contracts to a named firm that has been singled out to rehabilitate five roads in the border town.

The authorities say the decision to give the contractor Road and Pavings the bid to rehabilitate township roads in the border area was most retrogressive and most unfortunate.

During a heated District Development Coordinating Committee (DDCC) held in the chambers, members felt cheated that Road and Pavings has continued to scoop road bids.

The members asserted that the firm has allegedly been doing shoddy works on most roads in Mufulira wondering why relevant bodies have continued entrusting the firm when several complaints have been lodged.

Mufulira District Commissioner (DC) Dyford Muulwa says already, work along the Mufulira/Subina Road being done by the firm was below par and a source of shame considering that substantial sums of money had gone into the project.

The DC added that already two people had died along the road in over a fortnight.

Mr. Muulwa said his office had received numerous complaints from both residents and the business community over the state of the Mufulira/Surbina road which had become a hell run.

The Mufulira DC added that he shall write to appropriate authorities to express his dismay over the work done by Road and Pavings adding that it was unfortunate that colossal sums of public monies were allegedly gong to waste.

And Mufulira Town Clerk (TC) Charles Mwandila informed the DDCC meeting that he had an audience with the contractor and expressed his misgivings over the poor workmanship exhibited by Road and Pavings.

The Mufulira TC added that the same disputed contractor had been awarded a contract to work on five roads which included: 17th street, Accra, Kambalange, Kalindini and David Kaunda roads among others.

He said the local authority would closely monitor the firm to ensure a satisfactory job.

The Mufulira TC added that with effect from next year, awarding of all road contractors would be done at district level; a motive he said was long over due.

Apart from the five roads, and the Mufulira/Surbina road, Road and Pavings is also doing the Mokambo road and has done works on four other roads in Mufulira District.

But efforts to get a comment from the contractor by ZANIS proved difficult as management of the said firm are reported to be on festive break out of the country.

Meanwhile, A Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Officer in Livingstone, Southern Province has been convicted and jailed for 18 months with hard labour for corruptly soliciting for K2 million bribe and receiving K500, 000 cash.

corrupt practices by public office.

Principal Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani, jailed Lungu, 37, of House No. 38, Kapombo Road in Livingstone, a Collector with ZRA for one and half years after he found him guilty of the offense.

Magistrate Limbani jailed Lungu with effect from 28th December 2007 the date he was arrested.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Relations Manager (PRM) Timothy Moono confirmed the court verdict on Lungu in a press statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

Mr. Moono said the ACC arrested Lungu following a surveillance operation it conducted arrested him for soliciting K2 million bribe from motorists. This was in order for him to release keys for three motor vehicles which he had impounded for carrying drums of fuel from Botswana through the Zambian Victoria Falls Border.

Mr. Moono explained that Lungu impounded the vehicles on grounds that the owners of the vehicles had no authority to bring fuel in the country.

The owners of the fuel later reported themselves to the Zambia Revenue Authority Offices in Livingstone where they were charged the necessary fees.
Lungu however, refused to handover the keys stating that he had authorised the payment to ZRA and needed to be paid a bribe.

Mining activities in Kafue National Park worry Chief

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Senior Chief Kasempa of Kasempa district in North-Western Province has condemned mining activities being conducted in Kafue National Park and Lunga Luswishi Game management area in the district.

The traditional leader has since called on Government to stop the mining activities which he said were disturbing the animals in the two game areas.

He revealed that a few of the people mining in the two named game areas claimed to have licenses while others were mining illegally and hunting game illegally.

Senior Chief Kasempa wondered how and why the Ministry of Mines issued mining licenses to people to carry out mining activities in a game management and National Park.

He revealed that miners with mining licenses and those mining illegally were also poaching and transporting the game meat in sacks containing minerals.

He said such activities were disturbing tourism in the area and impressed upon Government to look into the issue urgently.

The Senior Chief said he was against mining in the game areas.

He said if left unchecked, the activities will deprive the people of Kasempa tourism royalties.

Senior Chief Kasempa was speaking at his palace in Kasempa today, when Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande who is also Kasempa Member of Parliament paid a courtesy call on him.

And senior Chief Kasempa has paid tribute to Government for increasing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation to the constituency.

The traditional leader said the K200 million CDF allocation if used in a good manner would enhance development activities in the district.

He called for strict monitoring of the CDF saying it should be used on bigger projects that would benefit all the people in the district.

Responding to the chief’s mining concerns, Mr. Pande assured the senior Chief that he will take up the issue of mining in the Kafue game park and Lunga Luswishi game management area with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals.

DC sends red alert to Kafue basin community to relocate

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Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda has called on people living along the Kafue basin to relocate to higher grounds.

Mr Chiinda said the heavy rain being experienced coupled with the impending opening of flood gates at Itezhi tezhi dam by Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) poses a threat to both human and animal life.

The District Commissioner told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that reports reaching his office have indicated that Chimwaikila fishing camp has already been submerged in water.

Mr Chiinda said there is need for people living along the Kafue river to take the appeal seriously to avoid a calamity.

He said his office has since called for an urgent District Disaster Management meeting to plan for the imminent disaster in the district.

Meanwhile, more houses have collapsed in the last 24 hours in Ndeke township following continuous heavy rain being experienced in Mazabuka town.

30 more have collapsed bringing the total number of houses to 57 leaving scores of families in the cold.

The District Commissioner told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he will tomorrow (Monday) again lead a team of District Disaster Management committee members to visit the affected families.

Several families who have no means of rebuilding the collapsed homesteads are now spending nights in the cold.

Ndeke township Resident Development Committee Chairman, Justin Aongola expressed worry of a looming Cholera outbreak in the township due to poor sanitary conditions.

The township lacks toilet facilities and residents answer the call of nature using plastic bags and empty chibuku containers.

Pay Mazabuka farmers K1.3bn, FRA told

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A senior Government official in Mazabuka, Southern Province has called on the Food Reserve agency (FRA) to quickly source for funds to pay off farmers their K 1.3 billion.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that 200 farmers have not yet been paid by FRA because the K 1.5 billion sent to the district recently was only exhausted within two days.

Mr Chiinda said there is need for FRA to take the appeal seriously because most farmers are relying on the same funds to buy seed and fertiliser to grow maize.

He said it is unfair to punish farmers especially at this time when most of them have relocated their homes to town just to wait for their money.

Meanwhile, FRA Mazabuka Warehouse manager Obrien Han’gandu has gone into hiding for fear of being lynched by angry farmers.

Mr Han’gandu told ZANIS in Mazabuka that he has decided to go into hiding because farmers are threatening him.

He said farmers strongly believe he has stolen their money because he is the one who has been authorising their payment from the bank.

Mr Han’gandu has since pleaded with the farmers to remain calm because their money has not yet been sent by FRA.

Mazabuka district has bought a total of 331,580 at a cost of K 12 billion.

In a related development, The National Association for Peasant and Small Scale farmers in Mazabuka has disbursed a total of K 140 million loans to farmers in five cooperative societies whose fertiliser and seed is still locked up by Omnia Zambia limited.

Association Coordinator, Ricky Sinyamuki who disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka said his association came to the rescue of the farmers because of loss of time caused by the suspension of the Fertiliser Support Programme.

He said the farmers from Chibuyu,Chinyanja, Manyonyo, Mugoto and Chakola have since purchased fertiliser and Seed from Omnia.

Mr Sinyamuki said most farmers who accessed loans had to sell their animals at give away prices just to raise the 50 percent collateral before the loans could be approved.

He said the farmers association is working in partnership with the Zambia National Commercial Bank and Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) in the provision of loans to farmers.

Mr Sinyamuki explained that ZSIC is providing insurance cover to the farmers in case of drought, floods and other climatic conditions that would affect agriculture production in their respective areas.

He added that three other cooperatives have already submitted their applications for loans.

Mr Sinyamuki also challenged farmers who are not aware of the loan facilities to take advantage of the loans and boost their agriculture activities.

Meanwhile, Mr Sinyamuki has assured the farmers that his association will not engage in the seizure of property should they fail to repay the loans.

Heavy downpour delinks Sinazongwe

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Sinazongwe District in Southern Province has been cut off from the rest of the country following heavy rains that have extensively damaged the Batoka-Maamba road which links the district to Choma.

The road has been cut off completely at Muziyo, about 37 kilometers from Batoka where a deep gulley has been created by fast running water from the hills.

As a result scores of people and motor vehicles travelling to and from Sinazongwe are stranded on either side of the road.

Both Choma District Commissioners Mungoni Simulilika and his Sinazongwe counter-part Laiven Apuleni confirmed the development to ZANIS in Choma this morning and described the situation a disaster that must be treated as an emergency.

The two DCs have appealed to the Road Development Agency (RDA) to quickly mobilise resources to put up a temporal bridge to allow light vehicles and people to pass.

Mr Simulilika who rushed to the area this morning said preliminary assessments are that the gulley is about ten (10) metres wide and five metres deep.

Mr Simulilika who also disclosed that a portion of the road that has been cut off is in Choma district said hundreds of motor vehicles including trucks hauling coal are marooned on either side of the road.

He has also implored RDA management to engage a reputable contractor to avoid shortcomings that were encountered with the last contractor, GM International, whose contract was later terminated because of shoddy work.

He said there is need for RDA to also carry out regular inspection on the Batoka-Maamba road where a spot check this morning revealed that there some other weak spots that might collapse if the heavy rains being experienced in the area persist.

Meanwhile, Sinazongwe District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni says the situation is a big problem for the people in the district as they rely on Choma for goods and services.

He told ZANIS that it will be difficult to handle emergencies following the development.

Meanwhile, -Siavonga Township has been cut off from the rest of the country following the complete collapse of two portions of Lusitu Bridge.

Lusitu Bridge which is situated along Siavonga – Chirundu road was damaged and divided into two parts this morning around 06:00 hours following heavy rains that flooded Lusitu River.

And several motorists and passengers that were either travelling to Siavonga from Lusaka or vice versa are stranded in Lusitu area as vehicles and people cannot cross over.

Lusitu ward councillor Christopher Kiwani told ZANIS in Lusitu that apart from heavy rains damaging the bridge, the deluge has also washed away maize plants in surrounding areas.

Mr. Kiwani disclosed that the Lusitu River whose water flows from Chikankata in Mazabuka leading to the lower Zambezi River got flooded in the early hours of today resulting into water flowing over the bridge washing away poles holding the bridge.

And District Commissioner Emily Striedl who led a team of members from the District Disaster management team to the scene appealed to all those planning to travel to Siavonga not to do so because they will have no access.

Mrs Striedl however assured that her office has already contacted relevant authorities that are supposed to repair the bridge.

Police smash fuel scam

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Police in Ndola have raided a garage and impounded drums and a South African registered tanker containing fuel worth over K110 million.

The police have also arrested four men, including a South African truck driver, suspected to be involved in a fuel scam.

The suspects have been charged with theft of goods in transit, and they are detained at Ndola’s Masala police station.

The raid was executed on Friday night and the police recovered 135 drums of fuel and a fuel tanker with 35,000 litres of petroleum valued at US$29,000 (about K110 million).

Each drum has a maximum capacity of 210 litres, but it was not immediately clear if all the drums were full to capacity.

Police alleged that the suspects were transporting the contraband to Litande Garage near the Zambia International Trade Fair Grounds where two light trucks were parked, one laden with 102 drums and the other with 33 drums.

The driver of the tanker was identified as Welcome Libande Bongani, the owner of the garage as Austin Mulande.

Two other drivers who were transporting fuel in 210-litre drums were identified as Emmanuel Kanda and Kennedy Sikazwe.

The tanker, registration number ND 275-433, and the two light trucks were carrying fuel imported from South Africa for BP Zambia Limited in Lusaka.

Ndola district deputy police commanding officer, Anderson Chengo said police were still investigating the matter to establish why the fuel was transported to Ndola and not Lusaka which was the destination.

Mr Chengo said police acted swiftly on information received on the theft of fuel and arrest the suspects.

“Yes we have arrested the four men who are custody for theft of goods in transit and will appear in court soon,” he said.

He said the total cost of the fuel in the tanker was estimated at US$29,000 but he could not state the cost for fuel in the other drums, which was suspected to contain diesel.

“We cannot tell the cost because we do not know whether the drums are full or not,” he said.

In another development, police in Ndola have launched a manhunt for a former commando and another man after they allegedly stabbed a man in the stomach at a bar in Kaloko township.

Mr Chengo said the two had gone to the bar with the intention to allegedly steal but faced resistance from Abson Banda who was manning the bar for his friend.

Mr Chengo said that Banda stabbed and was later rushed to Ndola Central hospital where he is admitted.

His condition is stable.

He appealed to members of the public to report the culprits to police.

PS calls for expansion of Solwezi Hospital

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North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Jeston Mulando has called for expansion of Solwezi general hospital to cope with the increasing population in the district.

Mr Mulando said there was need to construct an office block for members of staff rather than squeezing staff offices within wards.

He said this when he toured the hospital today.

The Permanent Secretary rushed to the hospital to verify reports from some people that clinical officers were not attending to patients.

He however, found the situation normal and staff in the out patient department explained that they never turned back any person.

Meanwhile, Provincial Health Director, Dr George Liabwa also echoed the Permanent Secretary’s sentiments that there was need to expand the hospital.

Dr Liabwa said they have submitted the budget to the ministry for rehabilitation of the hospital.

He added that there was also need for another clinic in Solwezi because the current infrastructure can not cope with the increasing population.

State nods 81 Youth projects in Mazabuka

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Government has approved 81 youth projects under the Constituency Youth Development Fund (CYDF) in Mazabuka, Southern Province at a cost of K 102 million.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda who disclosed this to ZANIS in Mazabuka said this follows the release of K 120 million CYDF funds to the district.

Mr Chiinda has however directed Chikankata and Magoye Youth Development Committee to sit and approve the remaining projects to ensure all youths benefit from the empowerment funds.

He warned that failure to spend the money will compel his office to surrender the money to the Ministry of Finance.

Mr Chiinda has since commended Government for coming to the rescue of youths by providing funds meant to uplift their living standards.

Meanwhile, Mazabuka District Hospital workers in Southern Province have given management a two- day ultimatum in which to reinmburse the abnormal house allowance deductions on their salaries or face industrial unrest.

The workers told Acting District Director of Health, Elias Hamatanga during a heated meeting held at the hospital last night that they will be forced to withdraw labour on Monday should the District Health Management team fail to meet their demands.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) District Vice Chairperson, Violet Phiri told ZANIS in Mazabuka today that there is need for Government to seriously address the problem because non of the health workers will able to send their children to school.

Ms Phiri said it is unfair for the District Health Management team to effect such deductions because they are meant to punish the workers.

She added that Government is punishing the workers twice because they are staying in dilapidated houses which were condemned by the Ministry of Works and Supply as not fit for human habitation.

And the workers in a statement released to ZANIS in Mazabuka today complained that the deductions were harsh and should be stopped immediately because they were done without their knowledge.

They lamented that some staff receiving over K 500,000 got K 20,000 and K40,000 as take home salaries.

Nurses and Clinical Officers got between K 70,000 and K 150,000.

Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda told ZANIS that the Union leadership has since requested to air their grievances to him.

By Press time, The District commissioner was still waiting for union officials to report to his office for the meeting.

Remain committed in graft crusade, Mpompo

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Government has urged Defence personnel in the country to remain committed to efforts aimed at complementing its crusade against corruption.

And Government has also announced the new State Funeral Policy in Zambia.

Defence Minister George Mpombo said committment by Defence forces to corruption crusade would help prevent Government’s scarce resources from being mismanaged.

He said this when he represented President Mwanawasa at the Zambia Air force (ZAF) 2007 annual ball held at Chamba Valley in Lusaka last night.

Under the theme loyalty and integrity, Mr. Mpompo also appealed to the Defence forces to exhibit high morals in a bid to curb the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He said the annual ball is an event for the ZAF defense personnel and their partners to foster the spirit of togetherness to celebrate the success of the year and chart the way forward.

Mr. Mpombo commended ZAF for their role in national development through their efforts in reaching in access areas during disasters such as flood to deliver relief food.

The defence minister has since urged the defence personnel to continue displaying exemplary behaviour and be loyal to the government of the day and the people of Zambia in order to promote national security.Government has announced a new State funeral policy.

On the new State Funeral Policy, the Defence Minister disclosed that State funerals will only be accorded to the President, Vice President, speaker of National Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, former Heads of States.

And speaking earlier at the same function, ZAF Commander Lt. Gen. Samuel Mapala described ZAF performance in 2007 as satisfactory because defence had met most of its obligations and targets in the areas of operations, logistics, training and administration.

He said the Airforce’s vision for 2008 is to continue improving in all aspects of the defense wing such as maintaining high levels of service to the State.

He reiterate ZAF’s commitment to continued contributions to enhancing Zambia’s economy.

Highlight State programmes, media told

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Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary, Elijah Chisanga has challenged the media and other stakeholders to highlight Government programmes to the Zambian people.

Mr Chisanga says this will enable the people access Government support towards their various activities.

The Permanent Secretary says inadequate publicity of Government policies to the Zambian public had contributed to the high poverty levels.

Mr Chisanga said this during his two- days tour of fish ponds in Kanakantapa and Shikabeta areas in Chongwe district, Lusaka Province

The Permanent Secretary added that it is Government’s mandate to support the Zambian farmers particulary those venturing in fish farming to alleviate the poverty levels in the country.

Mr Chisanga cited the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) as one of the most important programmes meant to uplift the living standards of the Zambian people.

He also commended the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for providing technical advise and skills to fish farmers in the province through the department of fisheries.

Mr Chisanga called on small scale farmers to venture into fish farming as it is profitable and easily managed.

Meanwhile, A small scale fish farmer in Kanakantapa area, Bishop Muchimba Siachalwa has appealed to the Government to support fish farming activities in the area .

Bishop Muchimba who prodded other smale scale farmers to venture into fish farming, said with Government support, more farmers will be able to start the activity and this will in turn improve the living standards of the Zambian people.

Chinese firm applies for 36 ha of land

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The Zambia China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone Development Limited has applied for 36 hectors of Land from the Kitwe City Council to enable them establish a living Zone for about 300 Chinese senior staff that would come to work for the Chambeshi Economic Zone in the next five years.

ZANIS in Kitwe reports that Kitwe City Council Director of Development Planning John Ngwata said the estimated total cost for this residential Zone was at K2.4 billion and that this cost included building materials, power supply, transportation charges and labour.

Mr Ngwata told the Kitwe District Development Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Council Chamber today that most of these buildings shall be two or four storey buildings with distinguished Chinese characteristics.

He said the proposed buildings to be constructed adjacent to the land given to another Chinese firm, Chambeshi Metals in Kitwe’s Garneton area, would comprise of Houses, Canteens, cafes, guest houses, gymnasiums and a sports field.

But the Local Authority has not concluded the matter yet to enable the DDCC and various Stakeholders consult on the matter further.

Mr Ngwata said there was need to consult widely because the area applied for was quite vast.

Zamtel to pump over US$104 into expansion projects

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Zambia Telecommunications Company Limited (ZAMTEL) has announced that it will spend over US$104 million for its various expansion projects by next year.

ZAMTEL managing director Simon Tembo said his company has embarked on a number of projects to improve its efficiency in service delivery both in the country and neighboring country.

Mr. Tembo said these would include the Lusaka metropolitan optical fiber network, national optical fiber network , the next generation network (NGN) and the cell z expansion project to cover all the 72 districts in the country.

He said this at a joint press briefing with Huawei Technologies in Lusaka when he announced the implementation of the Lusaka metropolitan optical fiber network project which is expected to be commissioned on January 20th next year.

Mr. Tembo said once commissioned the 3 million US dollar project would enable the provision of advanced value added services such as electronic government and commerce, high speed internet access. and other economic development initiatives.

He added that the project will also enhance other economic development initiatives aimed at helping information communication technology (ICT) in order to help reduce poverty in the country.

Mr. Tembo noted that once the project is complete it will help make business communication easier and less costly and help accelerate development in Lusaka and the nation at large.

The ZAMTEL managing director also revealed that most of the equipment to complete the project has already arrived in the country adding that installation works have also commenced.

He has since called upon both private and public institutions to support the initiative by subscribing to the service as it will improve their business efficiency and reduce the cost of doing their business.

And speaking at the same occasion Huawei technologies public relations manager Alice Qi said her company is confident of covering Lusaka by January 20th next year as scheduled.

Ms. Qi said upon covering the capital city with the optical fiber network her company will immediately embark on installing the national optic fiber network.

Kabwe mine offered to South African firm

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ZCCM -Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) Plc has offered Kabwe Mine to Alberg Mining and Minerals Limited, a South African mining firm.

The Zinc mine in Kabwe has been closed since 1994.

ZCCM-IH chief executive officer, Joseph Chikolwa announced in a statement in Lusaka the ZCCM-IH offer for sale of its retained assets of the Kabwe mine to Alberg Mining and Minerals Exploration.

Mr Chikolwe said ZCCM IH would soon commerce negotiations with Alberg Mining and Minerals Limited on the terms and conditions of sale for the retained Kabwe Mine assets.

He noted that value for the mine would be subject to negotiations that would take into account the assets to be sold and provision for environmental liabilities in case of default.

Mr Chikolwa said ZCCM-IH has been implementing rehabilitation and decommissioning plan for the mine since its closure.

He also said that some of the retained assets that were part of the rehabilitation and decommissioning plans have drawn interest from several mining companies who showed interest in reopening of Kabwe Mine.

“The upturn in the base metal prices of Lead and Zinc has changed the value of these assets in Kabwe and hence the interest of developers,’’ he said.

Mr Chikolwa said the opening of the mine expected in December next year meant economic emancipation of Kabwe town, which has seen economic decline since the mine closed down.

“It is our sincere hope that developers will move quickly to create the much needed jobs for the people of Kabwe,’’ he said.

Recently, Perilya Limited, an Australian based mining company was quoted by Mineweb as having embarked on a feasibility study aimed at determining the revival prospects for Zinc production at the mine.

The study was expected to be concluded by mid 2008.

According to Perilya Limited, should the study come out positive, the company would ensure that production starts by 2009.

But, Mr Chikolwa noted that when tenders for the development of the mine were advertised, bids were received from only five mining companies.

Companies that bidded for Kabwe mine include, Alberg Mining and Mineral Limited, Congo Border Resources, Ilifa Commodities Limited, Leopard Exploration & Mining and Pochy Mining Limited.

He said a standard process was applied to select developers who expressed interest in the reopening of Kabwe Mine.

The criteria used in the selection of the successful developer included the processing ability of the developer, response to environmental issues and ability to finance operations.

Other criteria that ZCCM-IH looked at included ability to finance environmental remediation and local participation by Zambian citizens.

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