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Luanshya resumes copper production By KANGWA MULENGA PRODU
By KANGWA MULENGA
PRODUCTION at Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) officially began yesterday, exactly 11 months after the former owners, Enya Holdings, placed it on care and maintenance as a result of the global financial crisis.
China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC) deputy chief executive officer Xiang Gau confirmed the resumption of production at the mine in an interview from Luanshya yesterday.
“We have actually commenced official production today and everything is going as per schedule, and all the new equipment is working perfectly well,” Mr Xiang said.
CNMC bought the mine at US$50 million from Enya Holdings.
Mr Xiang said underground blasting began several days ago and that all the replaced new equipment at the mine has been tested and is working well.
“All the crushers and ore receiving bins are functioning well, and we are this evening (yesterday) expected to test the concentrator together with other combined equipment at the same time. But in general, all the equipment is working fantastic,” Mr Xiang said.
He said CNMC has also replaced the 11-kilometre conveyor belt to transport copper ore from underground to receiving bins.
Mr Xiang said more people in Luanshya will be employed following the commencement of full production at the mine.
The mine recruited 2,200 full-time employees before it began full production yesterday.
CNMC took over the mine from Enya holdings on June 25.
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The mine was placed under care and maintenance for six months before the new investor acquired it.
The Chinese mining firm is expected to inject US$400 million into the operation in the next four years.
And several stakeholders have commended CNMC for beginning full production at the mine.
Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) general secretary Oswell Munyenyembe said in an interview yesterday that the commencement of full production at the LCM is welcome because it will create more job opportunities for the people of Luanshya.
Mr Munyenyembe said MUZ is happy that CNMC has lived up to its earlier pronouncement of starting full production before the end of the year after it took over the mine.
“MUZ shall give all the support to CNMC now that full production has started, and we hope that management will co-operate with MUZ for the benefit of both miners and the new investor,” Mr Munyenyembe said.