Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) PLC has observed that Zambia’s mining sector is bright as evidenced by the massive investment in the industry.
Mopani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer Danny Callow said his mine has invested about US$2 billion in the rehabilitation of old mining infrastructure and setting up of new ones.
Mr. Callow said this investment has contributed to the significant improvement in the country’s national copper output.
He said the national copper output is currently at around 700,000 tonnes adding that this growth rate has led to a critical shortage of suitably trained and experienced technical personnel to support the increasing mining activities.
He was speaking during the 2012 school of mines symposium at University of Zambia in Lusaka.
Mr. Callow lamented that the skills shortage in the mining industry has led to serious competition among mining companies for the few available skilled persons.
He further disclosed that MCM has already started constructing a multi billion Kwacha world class technical mining training centre in Mufulira town so as to enhance skills training among the local people for them to be relevant to the growth of the mining sector.
Mr. Callow said the centre will be constructed at a total cost of US$15 million.
He stated that MCM anticipates to train about 200 students in various mining fields
He said the training will be aligned in a manner that will enable the student to work anywhere in the world.
Mr. Callow said MCM recognizes the need for quality mining skills training to assist the country produce artisans with skills that would be applied anywhere in the world.
He said MCM is committed to providing necessary facilities and financial support towards higher education that is responsive to the needs of the industry and society.
Mr. Callow explained that Zambia’s success in the mining sector remains dependent on quality skills training as this is what will drive development of the economy and attainment of the targeted increase in production.
And School of Mines Head and Lecturer Dr. Jewette Masinja thanked MCM for demonstrating its commitment of supporting higher learning institutions by providing training in relation to mining.
ZANIS
Free advice to Mr. Danny Callow:- Please invest in manufacturing plants to make finished copper products, e.g. copper wire, copper tiles, motors etc. because this same copper is being re-exported back to zambia & 4-5 times what we sold the chinese.
That’s not their core Business. Most times Diversification creates a loss of focus that may lead to lossmaking. It also kills competitiveness. Let s ask other companies to do that
Nice move for that training center you aim to construct
Ba LT please, the picture above the least you can show about a mine
I noticed the same thing. That is not a mine! Its a slimes dump Yaba!
@Abel, thats not there core business
And the welfare of the miners? I just saw the video posted on LT this week about Mopane and its links with Glenco. It leaves a lot to be desired. When shall we have our very own Zambians to run the mines so that all the profits remain in the country to develop and build Zambia? Thoz men and women I saw in the video in the bar drinking chibuku in Mufulira have left a sorrowful feeling in me. I look forward to a day when we, as a people of Zambia will stop tribal bickering and focus on building our resourceful mother Zambia. We have the capacity, manpower and all necessities needed to showcase. I pray that one day Zambia shall be redeemed.
Why are you just improving infrastructure for mining and a ka schooll for only 200 pipo. We want improvements in housing, primary & secondary schools, commercial premises and surrounding areas. You should talk about improvement in Zambian pipo’s lives instead of your capacity to rip us off! Ati
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Mr. Callow said this investment has contributed to the significant improvement in the country’s national copper output.”
I think Callow is playing ball.There is a lot of trained Zambian engineers based both in Zed and outside who would be willing to work if the mines in Zambia can pay us global competitive salaries.Just compare mining based employee salaries in Zambia to that of Australia,Canada or South Africa??
Don’t just praise, go to Mufulira and see how the people are living or see Zambia : Good copper, Bad copper, We will not be fooled by this gesture.
Construction works have already started but the fun part is non will the students graduate, than they will start applying for work somewhere else as this company pays us peanuts. Everyone in the office is busy looking for Employment. Already mopani is a training school itself coz graduates only work to gain experience and vamoose for greener pasture.
$15 million ? it s peanuts !!
Those looters has embezzled at least $500 million !!
175 million in tax revenue between 2003 and 2008 from tax avoidance practices and ZCCM-ih loses $50 million annually on dividend payments from its 10% stake in MCM
SMOKE AND MIRRORS to make us forget their looting…
They piss on our backs and tell us its raining!!!!
Fellow country men and women, do not be fooled.