China Non-Ferrous Metal Company (CNMC) says it will spend about US$100 million from the broader commitment of approximately $500 million to dewater shaft 28 at the Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM).
Responding to a Zambian Business Times – ZBT inquiry on the CNMC’s investment pledge of about
US$500 million in reviving production at 28 shafts in Luanshya and the breakdown of the key areas of investment by amount, CNMC Manager Administration Corporate Affairs Sydney Chileya explained that the dewatering initiative accounts for 20% of the total investment.
He said the undertaking involves the removal of 170 million cubic meters of water that currently inundates a channel extending over 6 kilometers across four shafts.
“Of the US$500 Million being invested in the reopening of 28 Shaft, about US$100 Million is going towards the dewatering process, this represents 20% of the total amount.”
“This is owing to the huge amount of water (170 million cubic meters) sitting in the channel covering 4 shafts spanning a distance of about 6 kilometers.”
President Hakainde Hichilema this year commissioned the process of de-watering the flooded 28 Shaft at Chinese-owned CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines in Luanshya to pave the way for the commencement of actual copper mining at the site which has been dormant for over 20 years.
The process of pumping out water from the three shafts commenced in April this year and is expected to be completed within the next 11 to 14 months.
