Hopes rise for reopening of Bwana Mkubwa copper processing plant
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Thursday, May 07, 2009 4:06:37 PM
PROSPECTS for the reopening of the closed Bwana Mkubwa copper processing plant look bright after First Quantum Minerals Limited (FQML) announced plans to start mining ore from Mkushi, according to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Bwana Mkubwa mine plant, which is one of the oldest mines in Zambia, ceased operations late last year after the owners of the mine FQMOL failed to clinch the vital deals with the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the sourcing of copper ore.
DRC authorities, under Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi, had insisted that only copper concentrates be exported from the mineral country while FQML stated that the Bwana Mkubwa plant could only process an input of ore and not concentrates.
According to EIS for the proposed Fishtie Project at Kashime, First Quantum intended to mine three million tonnes of copper at the mine to be situated 30 kilometres north of Mkushi.
Fishtie Project at Kashime would be situated within Mkushi district and would be done by open pit mining methods.
“The mined ore will be transported to Bwana Mkubwa processing plant in Ndola for processing,” the EIS submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) read in part. “FQML will also upgrade the old Congo way [old Ndola – Mkushi road] to suitable standard to facilitate transportation of ore to the processing plant.”
The EIS also announced that the Fishtie Project at Kashime was estimated at 27 months at an ore production rate of 100, 780 tonnes per month.
“The average overburden stripping will be about 856, 164 tonnes per month, giving a total overburden material of approximately 23 million tonnes for the life of the mine,” it stated.
Until its closure last year, Bwana Mkubwa used to process an annual estimate of about 41, 000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 140, 000 tonnes of Sulphuric Acid.
Labels: BWANA MKUBWA, EIS, FQML
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FQML to mine ore from Mkushi
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Monday, May 04, 2009 2:46:54 PM
PROSPECTS for reopening of the closed Bwana Mkubwa copper processing plant look bright after First Quantum Minerals Limited (FQML) announced plans to start mining ore from Mkushi, according to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Bwana Mkubwa mine plant, which is one of the oldest mines in Zambia, ceased operations late last year after the owners of the mine FQMOL failed to clinch the vital deals with the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the sourcing of copper ore.
DRC authorities, under Katanga Province governor Moses Katumbi, had insisted that only copper concentrates be exported from the mineral country while FQML stated that the Bwana Mkubwa plant could only process an input of ore and not concentrates.
According to EIS for the proposed Fishtie Project at Kashime, First Quantum intended to mine three million tonnes of copper at the mine to be situated 30 kilometres north of Mkushi.
Fishtie Project at Kashime would be situated within Mkushi district and would be done by open pit mining methods.
“The mined ore will be transported to Bwana Mkubwa processing plant in Ndola for processing,” the EIS submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) read in part. “FQML will also upgrade the old Congo way [old Ndola – Mkushi Road] to suitable standard to facilitate transportation of ore to the processing plant.”
“The in site of the ore grade was averaged at 2.47 per cent Acid Soluble Copper,” it stated. “The average overburden stripping will be about 856, 164 tonnes per month, giving a total overburden material of approximately 23 million tonnes for the life of the mine.”
Until its closure last year, Bwana Mkubwa used to process an annual estimate of about 41, 000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 140, 000 tonnes of Sulphuric Acid.
Labels: BWANA MKUBWA, ENVIRONMENT, FIRST QUANTUM MINING, FQML, MINING, MKUSHI COPPER MINES
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Bwana Mkubwa shuts down as 365 workers lose jobs
December 17, 2008
Bwana Mkubwa copper plant in Ndola on the Copperbelt has been closed and 365 workers laid off.
The mine has closed its plant due to lack of stock feed which was being imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Currently only the acid plant is operational.
But Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says the closure of Bwana Mkubwa could have been avoided if management had planned its operations properly.
Mr. Mwale said in Ndola on Wednesday that management should have considered other alternatives of getting raw materials, as suggested by government.
He said government allowed First Quantum the owners of Bwana Mukubwa to explore in Mkushi and Mpongwe and wondered why management at the mine did not conclude the exploration.
Other mining firms on the copperbelt may lay off some workers as copper prices continue to go down on the international market.
President Rupiah Banda said on Tuesday that government is working hard to reduce the country’s dependence on copper.
He said efforts are under way to improve the tourism sector which will earn the country substantial revenue.
Meanwhile, Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says government will not condone any level of asset stripping at any of the mines in view of the low copper prices on the international market.
Mr. Mwale says government is worried that some mine owners might start selling vital equipment as scrap metal.
Mr. Mwale was speaking after a meeting with the mine workers unions in Kitwe.
And Labour minister, Austin Liato, said issues affecting the mines in Zambia should not be politicized.
Mr. Liato said it is wrong for some opposition leaders to blame president, Rupiah Banda, for the low copper prices because the problem affects all copper producing countries.
[ZNBC]
Labels: BWANA MKUBWA, JOBLOSSES, MAXWELL MWALE, MINING
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