Mopani to produce 230, 000mt of copper - HH

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has disclosed that Mopani Copper Mines will upscale the copper production to 230, 000 metric tonnes under the watch of new investor International Holdings Resources (IHR).

Mr Hichilema said increased production is what Zambians have been yearning for as it will have an impact on the economy.

Speaking when he officially handed over the giant mine to IHR yesterday, President Hichilema said through increased production there will be job security for the workers.

He also indicated that the development will enable the contractors and suppliers to sustain their operations as well as create jobs.

President Hichilema said the suppliers and contractors are now being paid their dues as they have stayed for four years without being paid.

Mr Hichilema also said through the new transaction with the IHR, the debt burden has now been reduced to US$576 million by clearing the outstanding debt owed to suppliers and contractors.

He said the giant mine was sitting on the debt of US$1.5 billion.

He said with this development, this means that there is new breath at Mopani. Meanwhile, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe said with the development being done by President Hichilema, the opposition will have nothing to say. He said Zambia is poised to be a great country.

And Contractors and Suppliers president Costa Mwaba challenged the new investor to prioritise locals when awarding contracts.

He said when the giant mine was facing challenges foreign contractors and suppliers left but it was the locals who ensured that the operations were sustained. Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Joseph Chewe asked the new investor to end the spirit of retrenching miners as this has an effect to communities and families.