Maravi

Yaluma calls on mines to enhance skills transfer

Yaluma calls on mines to enhance skills transfer
By Kabanda Chulu and Misheck Wangwe
Fri 13 July 2012, 14:00 CAT

THE Zambian mining sector risks being crippled if foreign companies do not enhance skills transfer and invest in local mining engineering services, says mines minister Christopher Yaluma.

Launching a mining and engineering services seco-drills workshop organised by Tranter Mining Zambia at Mindola shaft in Kitwe yesterday, Yaluma challenged mining companies to be relevant to the requirements of the Zambian economy by supporting local businesses.

"This is the empowerment we want to see because it also reduces cost of doing business for Mopani and other mining companies since equipment will now be readily available. Local people need to be part of the mining sector and it is encouraging to see Mopani spearheading this initiative by partnering with Tranter and I urge other companies to emulate this gesture," said Yaluma.

"Also mining companies should enhance skills transfer because the few mining engineers we have will eventually go and this is the right time to fill the gaps; otherwise the industry will be crippled if nothing is done now."
And Tranter chief executive officer Sixtus Mulenga said the workshop would contribute to Mopani's business bottom line towards productivity and unit cost of production.

"We shall provide cost-effective and efficient support services in this workshop and these will include repair of jackhammers for mine development, repair of drifter machines and long hole drilling, repair of air legs, sharpening of drilling bits and testing of drilling machines, among other services," said Dr Mulenga.

"We have plans in future with our original equipment manufacturer to manufacture here in Kitwe the drilling machines and associated products so that import costs and turnaround time will be reduced."
And Mopani chief executive officer Danny Callow said the Tranter workshop marks the rebirth of local engineering services in the mining sector.

"We are happy as Mopani that in partnership with Tranter Mining and Engineering Services Limited, we are pioneering the growth of mining engineering in Zambia in line with government's policy of reviving the Copperbelt industrial base which once thrived and provided the needed support to the mining sector," said Callow.

"The revival of the local mining engineering services has multiple benefits to various stakeholders. To government, this means increased jobs for the youths as well as increased revenue. The other benefit is a consolidated local business and manufacturing base that will propel the country to economic prosperity."

Labels: MINING

posted by MrK @ 2:00 PM