Kansanshi mine to sink 4,600-metre decline shaft
By Kabanda Chulu in Kitwe
Tue 23 Mar. 2010, 04:00 CAT [22 Reads, 0 Comment(s)] Text size Print
KANSANSHI Mining Plc is to sink a 4,600-metre decline shaft aimed at increasing the capacity to de-water the main open pit from the current 45,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Kansanshi Mines public relations manager Godfrey Msiska said that de-watering was a major concern during the rainy season but it was an essential process to protect the mine for its full projected life.
He said that the company was now inviting tenders from prospective bidders to develop the decline shaft.
“The shaft is purely for the de-watering of the Main Pit at Kansanshi Mine,” Msiska said. “We are currently pumping 45,000 cubic meters of water per day from the main pit and this is likely to increase in future. So, we are simply taking long-term measures to address this problem.”
He said that normal mining operations would continue while the new decline shaft was being developed.
“Therefore, production will not be affected by this activity. How long it will take and how much it will cost, will only be determined once bids have been received, evaluated and the contract awarded to the successful bidder. In this regard, we might have more information after closure of bids on 21st April 2010,” said Msiska.