By Chris Mulaliki
A Chinese firm has started constructing of a Manganese plant in Kapiri-Mposhi on 12.3 hectares at cost of $15 million.
This is a part of boosting the local economy in line with the seventh National Development Plan.
Hug-Chenga Mining Zambia Limited (LTD) which started the constructions three months ago is expected to complete the construction works by July this year.
Hug-Chenga Mining LTD production Director Yan Li said once the plant was complete it would be the largest Manganese Plant in the country.
Mr Yan said the company is expected to create over 200 jobs with 60 jobs already created.
He was speaking when Kapiri-Mposhi Town Council Chairperson Obby Kabasa and his Council Secretary Isaac Zimba toured the plant yesterday.
He said the plant would collect raw manganese from among the places Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi, and Serenje which would be processed into alloy manganese as the finished product to be sold to various companies.
Mr Yan said the company would not only help create jobs and boosting the economy but would also ensure that those who had completed university and college studies were accorded an opportunity to work at the company.
He said the plant would also be required to import coal from Maamba in Southern Province and coke from Zimbabwe which would be used to smelt the raw manganese.
Hug-Chenga Mining LTD Human Resource Manager Patricia Mzyece said the company thought it wise to set the company in Kapiri-Mposhi district as the place was not only strategic but had enough manganese that was being exported to other areas.
Mr Kabasa said the Local Authority had continued to attract investors of different types in a bid to grow the district.
He said the construction of the manganese plant would help the local authority to increase on the revenue collection hence come up more projects aimed at changing the face of the district.
