Administrateur du site
Messages: 4394
Inscription: Jeu 30 Juil 2009 16:48
Localisation: la seyne sur mer
Veep hails FQM
By Business Reporter
VICE-PRESIDENT George Kunda has praised First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for spearheading the developing of rural Zambia through the establishment of large-scale mines.
Mr Kunda said that FQM decision to set up Trident mine after Kansanshi Mine, both in North-Western Province, was in line with Government’s desire to spread economic growth benefits to all Zambians.
He said this when he officially launched the Trident Mine that would cost the Toronto-listed mining giant US$1 billion at a dinner at Hotel Intercontinental in Lusaka on Tuesday night.
The vice-president said Kansanshi Mine had changed lives of people in North-Western Province and FQM’s decision to start up a new town was the type of investment the Government wanted to see.
“The move by FQM to invest in another large-scale mine soon after the successful investment in Kansanshi Mine has a strong link with Government’s desire to see that socio-economic growth benefits are widespread in both urban and rural areas,” he said.
Mr Kunda said Trident Mine would make a difference to the local communities through job creation, enterprise growth and infrastructure development.
And FQM president Clive Newall said the coming of Trident would increase FQM production of copper in cathode form to 700 000 tonnes per year from its two mines in Solwezi.
Zambia’s current national copper annual production stands at 740,000 tonnes. And Trident project leader Matt Pascall pledged his company’s support to local suppliers and other enterprises.
“I would also like to urge Government to promote the local enterprises by removing red tape that hinders start-up and growth so they can become partners to our business,” he said.