ZCCM-IH `digs’ for oil
EXPLORATIONS TO START
We shall soon start explorations for oil and gas in Southern Province, ZCCM-IH has said.
And ZCCM-IH says it will put up solar power plants in all areas where gold mines will be established to enhance operations.
WE shall soon start explorations for oil and gas in Southern Province, ZCCM- IH has said. And ZCCM-IH says it will put up solar power plants in all areas where gold mines will be established to enhance operations. Chief Executive Officer Mabvuto Chipata said ZCCM- IH was interested in investing in exploration for oil and gas in the area. He said that ZCCM-IH already had exploration licence for oil and gas in the Province and there was only need for approval to begin the operations. He said that the state owned institution wanted to get the consent for it to start explorations for oil and gas. Mr. Chipata said the institution would only began the start explorations after the approvals from relevant authorities. “There is a partner we are working with to conduct the oil and gas explorations and we are sending experts to go and see what is happening and we are sure ministry of Mines will soon give a go ahead after we complete all the process,” he said. And Mr. Chipata said the power plants would enable the mining companies to conduct operations without any interruption. He said in an interview that the solar power plants would be the backup from the power which would be provided by Zesco. Mr. Chipata said that the project had since commenced in some areas. “Apart from Zesco we shall put solar power plants to support our operations. So we are already working some of the projects in some of the areas,” he said. Recently he said ZCCM- IH would partner with local investors whose mining and exploration licences have been dormant to mine gold. Mr. Chipata also said ZCCM-IH would issue certificates to cooperatives which would be created to mine gold. He said ZCCM-IH wanted to be inclusive in the manner the mineral would be exploited in the country. He said in an interview that the partnership would start as soon as investors came on board. He said ZCCM-IH wanted to partner with local experienced investors in order to explore in areas where huge deposits of gold were available.