Scrutinise activities of mining firm, says Chief Katyetye

By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT should reexamine activities of African Consolidated Resources (ACR) the mining company that is prospecting for minerals at Nkombwa Mine in Isoka, a local chief has said.

Chief Katyetye of the Tambo people said the mining firm which was doing some explorations at Nkombwa had not performed to his expectations.

He said ACR had for a long time been involved in explorations at the mine with a view to operationalise it but no tangible progress had been recorded so far.

Speaking during the Chizumba Nsonje traditional ceremony of the Tambo people, Chief Katyetye bemoaned the slow pace at which mining activities at Nkombwa Hills were progressing.

“I am not pleased with the pace at which mining activities are progressing at Nkombwa Mines I am therefore appealing to the government to re-examine the company as it has not performed to my expectations to ensure that Nkombwa is operationalised,’’ Chief Katyetye said.

Chief Katyetye said it was disheartening that mining activities at Nkombwa Hills that started in 2015 had not materialised despite geologists confirming the presence of phosphate and 15 other rare minerals.

Chief Katyetye said African Consolidated Resources had been at the mine for some time now but mining operations had not yet started.

“African Consolidated Resources has been carrying out explorations since 2010. We are told that phosphate used in manufacturing fertiliser, and 15 other rare earth metals, have been discovered at Nkombwa, Chief Katyetye said. Chief Katyetye said once fully operational, mining at Nkombwa could bring about the much-need foreign exchange and contribute to the country gross domestic product (GDP).

Chief Katyetye further said operationalising Nkombwa mines would create employment for the local people in the district and beyond.

‘‘Operationalising this mine will create the much-needed jobs for our people in the region and it will also make Zambia the major producer of phosphate and help reduce price of fertilizer,’’ he said.

Investigations by geologists at Nkombwa Hills have revealed the presence of rare earth elements that are essential components of fuel refinery catalysts, catalytic converters, fuel cell alloys, batteries, high quality optical glass, fluorescent lights and TV screens, tablets, mobile phone touch screens, and high strength alloys for aircraft engines and lighter cars.