China Non ferrous to produce 5 000 tonnes copper ore per day
China Non ferrous to produce 5 000 tonnes copper ore per day
By NKWETO MFULA
CHINA Non-ferrous Metals Corporation (CNMC) is to commence production of 5,000 tonnes of copper ore per day in December this year at Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM).
CNMC public relations officer Sydney Chileya says the rehabilitation and updating of the machinery at LCM’s Baluba shaft will result in increased production from 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes of copper ore per day.
“With the upgrade of equipment and machinery we expect to increase production to 6,000 tonnes. We project to commence production in December this year,” Mr Chileya said in Ndola in response to a press query.
He said 50 per cent work had since been achieved by the company that took over the mine in May this year from Enya Holdings.
The mine was put on care and maintenance in December 2008 following the fall in copper prices on the international market.
Mr Chileya said the company has constituted a team to design the plan for a US$300 million leach plant for the Mulyashi open pit project at LCM.
He says a team of experts is on the ground carrying out work and will give its report in the next two to three weeks.
He said work at Mulyashi was expected to commence in January next year after completion of the plant design.
“The plan is near completion and the report is likely to be presented to management in the next two to three weeks,” he said.
Mr Chileya stated that the CNMC has since employed 1,150 employees at LCM, which had a workforce of 1,741 people before it was put on care and maintenance.
Mine Workers Union of Zambia president Rayford Mbulu commended the company following the work done so far.
He said the union would follow the programmes of the new LCM owners to ensure that they followed the laid down procedures in the labour market.
Source : http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/media/news/ ... 1253167889