Vedanta Resources retain some key operations at KCM

Vedanta Resources retain some key operations at KCM
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2011Vedanta Resources Plc retained some of the key operations at its Konkola Copper Mine Zambian unit after a certification by a Britain safety company following the company’s recent investment of more than USD 50 million to fight environmental degradation at its operations in the Southern African country.
Ms Jacquiline Kabeta spokesperson of Konkola Copper Mines said that KCM’s Nkana Refinery in Kitwe, Nchanga Smelter in Chingola, Nampundwe Mine in Lusaka west and Konkola Mine in Chililabombwe have retained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification following an audit carried out by BSI from February 7th to February 11 2011 illustrating the company’s current and future commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
Mr Kabeta said that the ISO 14001 international standard provides both a model for streamlining environmental management and guidelines to ensure environmental issues are considered effectively within operations.
Recently KCM announced plans to spend USD 50 million for projects relating to the environmental management plan being implemented at Nchanga mine which is not yet ISO certified by to make it environmentally compliant. The pre assessment audit for Nchanga will take place in June this year and the actual assessment will take place in December 2011.
Assessments were carried out by BSI Management Systems of UK who audited the implementation of the EMS throughout the company. The auditors urged KCM to continuously provide a systematic framework for the company to identify the environmental impact of its activities to enable the company continuously improve its performance.
Mr Kabeta stated that KCM, Zambia’s leading copper producer, views achieving this certification came as a result of the continuous efforts to concentrate on high Healthy, Safety Environment & Quality standards, utilizing the state of the art technology in addition to highly qualified staff who are exposed to continuous training to maintain the highest possible HSE & quality services.
Management is delighted to have retained the ISO 14001 standard because the standard shows the company’s commitment to its customers and the communities it serves. KCM seeks to remain committed to a prudent approach in conducting its business and continue exploring relevant opportunities as they arise to be in line with world class companies and to reduce the impact on the environment and to invest in new technology to replace old equipment.
Last year, KCM was slapped with USD 4,000 fine by the Zambian court after the company polluted Kafue River, one of the water sources used by more than 20,000 people in the mining town of Chingola and other surrounding areas after some effluent sipped into the river during operations. The company, however attributed the pollution to power failure during operations, resulting in the unforeseen development and regretted the incident, prompting the company to invest in matters of waste management to ensure safety of the people in areas where it operates.
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
http://www.steelguru.com/metals_news/Ve ... 91123.html
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2011Vedanta Resources Plc retained some of the key operations at its Konkola Copper Mine Zambian unit after a certification by a Britain safety company following the company’s recent investment of more than USD 50 million to fight environmental degradation at its operations in the Southern African country.
Ms Jacquiline Kabeta spokesperson of Konkola Copper Mines said that KCM’s Nkana Refinery in Kitwe, Nchanga Smelter in Chingola, Nampundwe Mine in Lusaka west and Konkola Mine in Chililabombwe have retained the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification following an audit carried out by BSI from February 7th to February 11 2011 illustrating the company’s current and future commitment to minimizing environmental impact.
Mr Kabeta said that the ISO 14001 international standard provides both a model for streamlining environmental management and guidelines to ensure environmental issues are considered effectively within operations.
Recently KCM announced plans to spend USD 50 million for projects relating to the environmental management plan being implemented at Nchanga mine which is not yet ISO certified by to make it environmentally compliant. The pre assessment audit for Nchanga will take place in June this year and the actual assessment will take place in December 2011.
Assessments were carried out by BSI Management Systems of UK who audited the implementation of the EMS throughout the company. The auditors urged KCM to continuously provide a systematic framework for the company to identify the environmental impact of its activities to enable the company continuously improve its performance.
Mr Kabeta stated that KCM, Zambia’s leading copper producer, views achieving this certification came as a result of the continuous efforts to concentrate on high Healthy, Safety Environment & Quality standards, utilizing the state of the art technology in addition to highly qualified staff who are exposed to continuous training to maintain the highest possible HSE & quality services.
Management is delighted to have retained the ISO 14001 standard because the standard shows the company’s commitment to its customers and the communities it serves. KCM seeks to remain committed to a prudent approach in conducting its business and continue exploring relevant opportunities as they arise to be in line with world class companies and to reduce the impact on the environment and to invest in new technology to replace old equipment.
Last year, KCM was slapped with USD 4,000 fine by the Zambian court after the company polluted Kafue River, one of the water sources used by more than 20,000 people in the mining town of Chingola and other surrounding areas after some effluent sipped into the river during operations. The company, however attributed the pollution to power failure during operations, resulting in the unforeseen development and regretted the incident, prompting the company to invest in matters of waste management to ensure safety of the people in areas where it operates.
(Filed by Mr Kapembwa Sinkamba SteelGuru Correspondent Zambia)
http://www.steelguru.com/metals_news/Ve ... 91123.html