Mopani in lifespan boost

MOPANI Copper Mines will by next year complete putting up three new shafts to extend the mine lifespan by 25 years, acting Chief ([ecutive 2fficer John Chiwele has said. Mr Chiwele explained that the mine was in the midst of a robust expansion programme, which involved sinking and equipping three new shafts as well as putting up a new concentrator at Nkana mine site in Kitwe. With these projects, he said, the company was investing in the future of Zambian mining and that the shafts would extend the life of Mopani by at least 25 years. He was speaking in Lusaka at the just-ended 8th Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC) held under the theme “Invest in Zambia-Generating Value, Diversify and Growth Through Collaboration.” “One of the three shafts, the synclinorium shaft, has since been completed and was commissioned. The Mufulira deep shaft is scheduled for completion before the end of this year, and Mindolo deep shaft will be commissioned by end of 2019. The extension of the mines will safeguard jobs and will also increase production,” Mr Chiwele said. Mr Chiwele emphasised that the expansion projects were part of the long-term plan to turn the company into a world-class mining operation by 2023. He said this would entail, among other things, improving productivity and contributing significantly to the development of the surrounding towns on the Copperbelt as well as the Zambian economy. “The mining sector is growing rapidly and with this growth comes a huge demand for skills development as one of the fundamental requirements for successful mining operations. To this end, Mopani decided to invest in a state-of-art training centre in order to train core skills in mining and engineering. “Since inception, the school is also serving as a centre of excellence for up-skilling Mopani’s direct and contractor labour,” he said.