Mer 21 Déc 2011 23:44
Maamba Collieries set to resume operations
By NKOLE CHITALA
MAAMBA Collieries Limited says it expects to commence full-scale mining between January and February 2012, in line with the commissioning of a coal handling and processing plant.
And the firm plans to develop a 600 Mega Watts (MW) coal fired thermal power plant to supply the national grid.
The firm’s shareholders, ZCCM-IH and Nava Bharat of Singapore Pte Limited intend to revamp mining operations and establish a thermal power plant at cost of US$700 million.
Maamba Collieries head of corporate affairs Janardhan Lavu said revival of coal mining activity at Maamba Mine is expected to be used with scientific, efficient and environmental friendly operations.
This is according to a presentation made at the ZCCM-IH/Maamba closed door consultative and sensitisation meeting at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on the 300 MW Coal fired powered plant.
Mr Lavu said infrastructure rehabilitation works is in full swing to ensure logistics for smooth dispatch of coal to loading points.
A detailed 10-year mining plan in the active mining area has been prepared with the validation of coal reserve assessment, estimated at about 176 million tonnes (about one third of total mining area) in active mining area is in progress.
Commenting on the thermal power plant, senior vice-president for projects Bruce Rao said the project will be done in two phases of 300 MW each.
He said this follows the selection of SEPCO Electric Power Construction Corporation (SEPCO) of China to undertake the project, whose letter of intent indicates completion scheduled for 30 months for the first unit and 33 months for the second unit starting January 2012.
Mr Rao said all key agreements such as the investment promotion and protection agreement, development and connection agreement, power purchase agreement and implementation agreement have been executed.
He said phase one of 300 MW comprises of 2X150 MW units each consisting of turbine, generator, and boiler and associated auxiliaries.
The project is expected to generate employment of between 400 to 500 unskilled and semi skilled workers.
MCL is also in the process of constructing a 330 kilo volt transmission line connecting the coal handling and processing plant and the 330 kilo volt Zesco substation at Muzuma Lake water pump house and water pipeline for a distance of about 22 kilometre, and residential and recreational facilities for operating and maintenance personnel.
http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/index.php/b ... operations