Zambia expects to increase copper production by almost half in the
next three years.
Mines and Minerals Minister Kaunda Lembalemba discloses that the
current production levels of 400 000 t will rise to 750 000
t.
The rise in copper production is due to the increased mining
activities in the sector lately.
“Mining activities have been on the rise in the last five
years,” he notes Mining activities have been on the increase
because of new exploration by mining companies resulting into the
setting up of new mines.
The minister’s revelation was macrushing crusher supplier in pretoriade during a press briefing
where he also met executive members of Zambezi Resources, a mining
company seeking investment opportunities in Zambia.
The total production levels in Zambia stand at 400 000 t from the
mining houses mainly composed of Mopane Copper Mines and Konkola
Coppebuy 100t an hour crusherr Mines, (KCM).
A number of mining houses have established themselves on the mining
scene, including First Quantum’s Kansanshi mine, in the
north-western part of the country. Kansanshi Copper Mines is
expected to start production in September.
“There is bound to be an increase, especialcone crusher spare parts pricely with Kansanshi,
whose copper deposits extend for over thirty years,” says
Lembalemba.
The Bwana Mkubwa mine, also owned by First Quantum and established
in 1998 to treat copper tailings, is another mine that will
contribute to the increased production.
The minister also counts thjaw aggregate crusher plant picturese increased production from Baluba
Copper Mine, which was bought by J&W at the end of last year.
The company is currently involved in the decommissioning of part of
the mine assets previously owned by the Roan Antelope Mining
Corporation, of Zambia.
Non-Ferrous Metals, a mining house owned by tindustries related to stone crushinghe Chinese, will start
production at the end of the year.
The mine, the operations of which started in the middle of last
year after 16 years of being nonoperational, will treat copper
concentrates from its nonferrous mine on the Copperbelt.
Lumwana, which is expected to open in 2006, will further contribute
to the country’s production.
Chibuluma mines, with a lifespan of 18 years and owned by the
Metorex group of companies, is now shifting its attention to
Chibuluma South following the intended closure of Chibuluma West,
the deposits of which have been exhausted.
“When all these mining houses start production, we are
confident we will surpass 750 000 tons of copper per year,”
observes Lembalemba.
The minister also hopes the copper prices will continue to rise so
that investors can plough their profits back into the mines.
He further added that Zambia was a good destination for investment
in mining because it had a lot of mineral potential and most of the
land was still unexplored.
“We are looking for people to put up mines and carry out
explorations in the sectors,” said Lem-balemba.