Nzovu threatens to shut down black mountain operations

Green Economy Minister Collins Nzovu has threatened to shut down Kitwe’s black mountain on environmental concerns being raised which are not being resolved.

Nzovu said his ministry is monitoring all operations at each mining company, including the black mountain in Kitwe on the Copperbelt to ensure that there is sustainable mining and mining operations.

This follows a number of concerns and complaints received by the ministry of the Green economy from concerned parties concerning the manner in which Copper ore from the part of the black mountain is being dumped in residential areas of Kitwe.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – Green Economy and Environment minister Collins Nzovu said Government is doing everything possible to sensitize small scale miners to ensure that they follow the laid down laws and environmental regulations.

Nzovu disclosed that the ministry is currently monitoring and evaluating mining operations so as to ensure that there is compliance, adding that both small and large scale mines should ensure that the conditions set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment are met.

Kitwe residents and environmentalists have complained on the way the black maintain operations are affecting their communities and residential areas. The situation has worsened and authorities seem to have failed to come up with tangible solutions.

Black mountain operations remain politically charged as access to the dump seem to have no clear regulations and procedures that have gained consensus with the locals. Mines ministry and green economy need to urgently move in and arrive at a way forward that is acceptable to the local community.

 

Green Economy Minister Collins Nzovu has threatened

We are positive on getting the mine back-Vedanta

Vedanta Resources Limited says it is confident that it will be given another chance to run Konkola Copper Mines (KCM).

Company Corporate Communications Director Masuzyo Ndhlovu said the way the former Patriotic Front (PF) government handled the KCM matter was wrong because it did not fulfill the dispute resolution process.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Ndhlovu explained that there is a right channel of handling differences and wrongs but in this case, the previous government just went ahead and liquidated the mine without following the right procedure, which Vedanta is tirelessly contesting in court.

Asked whether President Hakainde Hichilema’s statements of not giving back the mine to Vedanta were discouraging the company’s efforts, Ndhlovu said the President is on one side but the matter would be determined by the courts.

“He can say that but then there is also the legal process to it, if one is aggrieved and not satisfied with certain things you take the matters to the court so that it is addressed in a partial and objective manner. So it’s something which the courts can determine in an objective way and once the courts make their decision, we go by that decision”, he said.

“We want the mine back; We are still in that process of trying to get the mine back, we are positive about it because in the first place the way it was done was wrong at the point of litigation and if there is any wrong of any sort, we will iron out those wrongs at that point”, he said.

Ndhlovu noted that Vedanta is committed to working with the Mine Workers Union of Zambia, National Union of Miners and Allied Workers and the United Mine Workers Union of Zambia for the betterment of the sector.

He added the unions called for the recapitalization of the operations which include exploration, equipment replacement and operationalisation of the Konkola Deep Mining Project and also want improved condition of services for employees and a well-defined Corporate Social Responsibility.

The Corporate Communications Director said it is the intention of Vedanta to ensure that Zambian small businesses are prioritized in its supply chain and that KCM will put in place a procurement programme aimed at providing support and medium-term contracts.

Ndhlovu mentioned that measurable, impactful Corporate Social Responsibility programmes will be enhanced as is the case in South Africa, Namibia, or India and crucial support to the hospitals, clinics, schools through scholarships, livestock, and promotion of youth development programmes, training and sports development, including football sponsorship will be provided.

 

 

Vedanta Resources Limited says it is confident

FQM confirms possession of Nickel mining license valid upto 2036

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has confirmed that the mining firm has a valid license to mine and produce Nickel concentrate at its newly announced enterprise Nickel mine at Kalumbila District, which is next to it’s Copper rich Kalumbila Trident mines.

This follows questions raised on how the giant mining firm acquired the license at a time when the Zambian government had placed a moratorium on issuance of new mining licenses after the change of government. The Zambian government imposed a moratorium stating that they wanted to clean up and improve the system.

Dr. Godwin Beene who is FQM Government Relations specialist stated that the mining firm [FQM] acquired the license a long time ago but could not disclose when exactly this happened. FQM had announced at a recently held mining Indaba in Cape Town that the giant mining company will be producing about 30,000 tons of Nickel annually, expected to rake in about $1 billion in revenues annually.

And another note from FQM to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT re-affirmed that that giant copper miner has an existing Nickel license that was issued before a moratorium was instituted by new mines Minister but did not state when exactly the license was issued.

Speaking in an interview with ZBT, Dr. Beene said FQM operates under the laws of Zambia which state that for one to mine, they need to have a license, therefore it’s impossible for FQM or any other mining company to start a project without a license as that would mean going against the stipulated laws of Zambia.

Dr. Beene further told ZBT that FQM Nickel mining license is valid for between 20 and 25 years stating that two licenses are required for the mining and processing of Nickel and FQM has both.

“I can confirm that First Quantum has a valid Nickel Mining license” stated Beene. He advised that those that want to see it,  they can visit the cadaster office as they have a copy”, he said.

Mining specialists and analysts in Zambia questioned the FQM announcement that the new enterprise Nickel mine would be opened within a period of twelve (12) months when the Zambian government imposed a moratorium on issuance of new mining licenses. The moratorium is still currently in place but expected to be lifted soon.

The new Nickel mine to be operated by FQM will add to the existing Munali Nickel mine of Mazabuka and expected to make Zambia – Africa’s largest producer. Nickel as a mineral is gaining more international recognition and importance following the drive to green anergy and the electric car promise.

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has confirmed that

Ministry of mines refuses to confirm if FQM has Nickel mining license

The Ministry of Mines has refused to confirm or deny if First Quantum Minerals – FQM has been awarded a nickel mining license following the company announcement that it will begin nickel production in kalumbila district of the Copperbelt in the next twelve (12) months.

FQM announced at the recently Cape Town held Mining Indaba that it will be opening a nickel mine in Kalumbila with an additional investment of $100 million to the $250 million enterprise Nickel mine which will bring the total to $350 million. The mine is expected to hit an annual production of 30,000 tons per annum and revenues of over $800m at current nickel prices.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business times – ZBT, Minister of Mines Paul Kabuswe said he could not give out what he termed as office details. The Minister however said when FQM announced to the government that it approved the investment, it meant that the programme is on and it was also approved by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Kabuswe further stated that the ministry of mines can amend mining licenses once the holder discovers new minerals that they feel should be included in the license. When asked if FQM will have to amend or buy a new license in this matter, the Minister said he would not go into those details adding that the announcement of nickel mining at Kalumbila has been made and it was not a a lie.

The Ministry of Mines has suspended the issuing of mining licenses and announced that measures are being put in place to improve the system. The projected or targeted timelines for resuming the issuance of mining licenses is yet to be made public.

Efforts to get an estimation of how much a nickel mining licence for an anticipated 30,000 tons annual production would fetch to acquire from the ministry of mines proved futile by time of publishing.

The Ministry of Mines has refused to

Elsewedy Electric $500m planned investment at concept stage

The Elsewedy Electric Company of Egypt local unit has disclosed that it intends to invest about $500 million and will set up its own mining company in Zambia. However, the planned investments are currently at concept stage.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT Elsewedy Electric country Manager Mohamad Hassan said the investment budget is not yet out or finalized but is projected to be about US$500 million in total investments.

El Sewedy Electric country Manager disclosed that the mineral to be mined is Copper which will be locally fabricated to produce copper rods used in making transformers, wires, and also start to make sheets for automotive batteries etc.

When asked by ZBT where the El Sewedy Copper Mine would be located and if the company has acquired a mining licence, the Country Manager said the place where the mine is to be set has not yet been finalized as they are still in talks with other stakeholders.

Hassan said for the mining development and eventual mining operations, the company is projecting to employ over ten thousand (10,000) Zambian employees. He stated that the company currently has many projects in Zambia which include a transformer unit established in 2009 co-owned by el Sewedy and ZESCO with about 120 permanent employees.

El Sewedy Electric country Manager said the motive behind the investment is to foster development as the company is a chain as it is specialises in Wire & cable, electrical products, smart infrastructure and infrastructure development.

He said from the same mining which where the main shareholder will be government, the company intends to create a Fabrication factory which will be making rods for cables, sheets, wires, wire copper core for transformers etc.

He said once the new projects are actualized, they will mainly benefit local Zambian people as most of the 10,000 people to be employed will be Zambians. The Country Manager said the projects are likely to commence this year but could however not disclose the actual month when further queried by ZBT.

The Elsewedy Electric Company of Egypt local