President Hakainde Hichilema has commissioned the 600 Million United States Dollars Sinomine Kitumba mining project in Mumbwa District, Central Province.
President Hichilema said the ground breaking of the copper cathode production at Kitumba Mine demonstrates government’s dedication to revitalizing the mining sector and delivering jobs and economic growth.
Mr Hichilema said the mine project will come with a 50 Megawatt solar power plant that will be integrated into Zambia’s main electricity grid.
He added that the investment is expected to create over 2,500 direct and indirect job opportunities to the local people.
“This investment will help span multiple sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, education and health signaling a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between the two countries,” he said.
Mr Hichilema also cautioned Members of Parliament, civic leaders, traditional leaders and others charged with responsibility, to deliver all projects which they are in charge of and ensure that they are completed.
“Zambians expect us to better their lives through growing the investment portfolio like the Sinomine Kitumba mine project,” he said.
And Sinomine Kitumba Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wang Pingwei said during the construction phase, the company will conduct additional geological exploration, which include increased drilling to increase the copper resource volume and resource grade.
Mr Pingwei added that based on exploration results, the company will consider increasing investment in a timely manner to expand production and capacity.
He also added that the company plans to construct a 50-megawatt solar power plant and integrate it with Zambia’s national electricity grid.
“The project is expected to create approximately 2,500 direct and indirect job opportunities and through this initiative such as donations and dedicated funds and skills training, we aim to improve healthcare, education and living standards for local residents,” he said.
Earlier, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe said President Hichilema has been implementing several measures to revitalize the mining sector from the time he came into office.
Mr Kabuswe noted that the fighting between mining investors has been delaying development in most districts which have mineral resources.
“I was assigned by the President to bring to an end the fighting between investors and to inform them that they should withdraw all cases from courts of law and here we are today, celebrating this groundbreaking,” he said.
[ZANIS]
I hope there will be enough regulatory oversight as the Chinks often pay lip service to safety and environmental concerns, among other issues.
Investments have continued pouring into the
Country in millions and billions but has it made
Any difference in the lives of Zambians?
Has it brought down cost of living ?
Has it brought down hours of load shedding?
Has it brought down price of fuel?etc.
If this man has the love for his country let him come out and APOLOGIZE PUBLICLY THAT HE WAS WRONG AND THAT HE’S SORRY HE HAS PUT US IN A WORSE SITUATION. I tell you God will listen and the Zambezi River will fill the Kariba Dam enough for decent power generation. If he’s stubborn Zambia will just grind to a sad stop.
I am assuming you think that the effects of increased investment in an economy are like switching on a light bulb such that a day after the groundbreaking ceremony, the standard of living of 15 million plus Zambians immediately goes up.
I look forward to seeing how much tax the mine company is projected to pay per year for the benefit of the common good.
This demagogue President the Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde Hichilema is now running around like a headless chicken stealing and lining up his pockets
Tarino Orange and Kaizer Zulu varnished….Zambia is not inspiring at all
And they call us third world and poor….someone leaves his developed countries and invest 600 million dollars in a poor third world country…..???? ARE WE REALLY POOR ???…something is not adding up…..how are you going recover your 600 million dollars??? So in short this means that we have enough wealth but we it away for free via corruption and greedy Politicians like the Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde Hichilema
HH hasn’t failed…..HH is just being very unpatriotic and doing all he can to amass wealth for himself just like the previous leaders…..i would say Mwanawasa and Rupiah Banda were Patriotic Zambians …..Sata wasn’t as Patriotic as he claimed….HH IS NOW ONE OF THE RICHEST PRESIDENTS IN AFRICA….he refuses to declare his assets because all his money is via corruption and theft
Let me be more realistic…am just asking for only 2 things from HH from all his campaign promises….ELECTRICITY 24hrs 365 days a year…..and Clean running water all urban areas 24hrs…..thats all am asking the Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde Hichilema…if he can archive these two then he deserves another term….and if not then lets find someone who can lead Zambia and find a solution to address Electricity crisis and sanitation
An0nymous come out and help with ideas unlike just commenting from with out.