KCM pyrite output shoots up

KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) has increased pyrite production to about 500, 000 tonnes, breaking a decade long record during the second quarter of the year.

Pyrite is a mineral containing Iron and Sulphur, which is used in the process of smelting copper at the Nchanga smelter in Chingola.

KCM is producing pyrite at its Nampundwe Mine in Shibuyunji District.

The previous highest monthly production was 4, 100 tonnes per month in 2011, says KCM General Manager for Corporate Affairs, Shapi Shachinda.

Mr Shachinda said prior to April 2020, the mine was producing around 2, 000 tonnes of pyrite per month.

In April and May, the production level increased to over 4, 000 tonnes before reaching 5, 000 tonnes in June.

He indicated in a statement yesterday that the Nampundwe pyrite mine had not produced more than 5,000 tonnes of pyrite in the past 10 years.

“In July, the mine produced the record breaker of 5,216 tonnes against a target of 3,997 tonne for the month.

“The increase in production has been achieved through Management’s sustained focus and support to production teams in the last one year, and the support of the hard-working employees,” Mr Shachinda said.

Mr Shachinda attributed the performance to combined teamwork of all Nampundwe employees and contractors and suppliers.

He said the mine was current with payments for labour hire and mining standards are improving, especially available underground ore stocks.

Mr Shachinda also noted that the mine was in a much better position now since last year, with a sustainable future.

At the start of the financial year in April, the business plan was to ramp up production to 4,000 tonnes per month.

The increase in the demand for the commodity at the Nchanga Smelter necessitated a revision of the plan to ramp-up production to 5,500 tonnes per month by October and, 54,247 tonnes for the year.