Chambishi mining project to create 5 000 jobs

24 Aug, 2018 - 00:08 0 Views
Chambishi mining project to create 5 000 jobs President Lungu

eBusiness Weekly

Chambishi. — President Edgar Lungu has launched the 590 million Chambishi South East Ore Body project that will create more than 5 000 jobs for the local people.

Speaking during the handover ceremony in Chambishi, President Lungu said the commencement of mining at the South East Ore Body (SEOB) is significant to the Zambian people particularly the locals who are direct beneficiaries.

President Lungu said Mining has for a long time been the country’s key  economic amounting for the much foreign direct investments.

He said from 2000 when mines were privatised about K13,14 billion has been invested in the mine.

He observed that an increased foreign investments has contributed to  the revival of operations which were nearly on the closure in some cases and the life span of some mines has been created.

He said it of great concern note that despite showing a great picture of the mining industry, it has not stimulated corresponding growth in other sectors because mining has been taken as mere source of the governments revenue and not a development catalysts.

President Lungu said the project is expected to boast the mine’s life span to 24 years thus increasing employment levels from the current 4 000 to 5 000 employees.

“The extended mines means more business opportunities for the local people in along time to come,” he said.

President Lungu said government  is committed to ensuring that the substantial amount of foreign direct investment remains in the country.

He said it was gratifying to note that the project had progressed as scheduled despite the low metal prices and energy crisis the country experienced.

He said this show the serious affirmation that NFCA attaches to investing in the country.

He added that this is the kind of resilience is what is required in the mining industry adding that mine firms should emulate NFCA.

President Lungu commended NFCA, Zambian contractors and suppliers who work hard in ensuring that the project is success.

He said the coming on board of the SEOB will make up for the decline in production  in other operations due to the depletion of  resources and all other challenges been faced.

He commended NFCA for maintaining safety standards during construction phase and evidenced by  the good record.

He said that he is hopeful that NFCA will not comprise safety standards.

He  urged NFCA to continue with the good safety record as exhibited so far.

And NFCA Chief Executive Officer  Zhang Jinjun said in the 20 years existence in Zambia, NFCA has completed the rehabilitation of the main ore body, the construction of the west body and the south east ore body at a total cost of US$1,17 billion.

Mr Jinjun said added that a further 187 million US dollars was paid in taxes, while operation revenue is at 2,2 billion.

Speaking earlier Kalulushi Member of Parliament Kampamba Mulenga disclosed that NFCA has given out 270 000 for the purchase of houses sold to the sitting tenants of ZAFFICO.

Ms Kampamba who is also Livestock minister said the development means that the sitting tenants will not pay for the houses because NFCA has already paid for them.

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