Mufumbwe District Council Chairperson has disclosed that Euro Africa Kalengwa Mines Limited has moved on site and has commenced construction of the processing plant after it was granted a mining license to take up operations at Mufumbwe’s Kalengwa copper mine.
Council Chairpesron Lemmy Namukuka said following a long legal battle for kalengwa mine between Kalengwa Processing Zone Limited and Euro Africa Kalengwa Mines Limited the license has finally been granted to Euro Africa Kalengwa Mines Limited.
The mine is expected to have an initial annual Copper production of 15,000 tons, which would add about $135 million to Zambia’s forex earnings if proceeds are banked locally. The mine site has one of Zambia’s highest Copper content ore and annual production would easily be doubled with the right expertise and technology being deployed.
Kalengwa Processing Zone Limited had taken Government to Court over the cancelation of its large scale exploration licence, describing it as unlawful. It is however not clear if more legal drama and fight backs will not follow and further delay this mine development and operations.
According to media reports seen by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, some years back, Kalengwa Processing Zone Limited who were holding the mining license had applied for leave to commence judicial review of the decision by the mining licencing committee to terminate its large-scale exploration licence no. 24401-HQ-LEL.
The firm was seeking a declaration that the decision of the committee to terminate its licence and reinstate Euro Africa Kalengwa Mine Limited’s licence no. 8584-HQ-LEL is illegal and procedurally improper. The Council chairperson could however not give details regarding this matter.
Namukuka however told ZBT that he was briefed by Euro Africa Kalengwa Limited Country Managing Director that they are almost through with the ZEMA in terms of the environmental impact assessment report and go ahead.
He said the construction of the processing plant is expected to be completed within three months and after that they expect to commence productions.
He said once operational they expect a boom in terms of business activities in the sense that there will be an influx of many people that will get employment at the mine and open up a number of business within the district.
“We as the council are also expecting that we will have an increase in terms of the revenue from the property tax and land rates that will be collected from the mine which will in turn help to carter for our environmental and social economic activities.” He said.
He further remarked that, “We are so excited because this is a natural resource for the people of Mufumbwe as the people of Mufumbwe will have to benefit through employment and we also expect development in terms of infrastructure, support industries and sectors such as housing, shopping and commercial centers which will contribute to the development of the District.”
Kalengwa mine is located in the North-western province of Zambia 800 km north-west of Lusaka and 400 km south-west of Kitwe. The Copper Mine is believed to have been one of the highest-grade copper mines in Zambia.
