By Abigail Chaponda in London, United Kingdom
Mimbula Minerals Limited, a subsidiary of a British firm Moxico Resources plc is set to break ground next January and will create beyond 800 permanent jobs for local Zambians over the course of the next year.
And Moxico Resource Plc Chief Executive, Alan Davies has revealed that the Mining Company will also seek to integrate agriculture into its mining projects with an emphasis on Fresh produce as a way of working alongside local communities to realise their agricultural potential.
Mr. Davies conveyed these insights when he paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde, outgoing Zambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Mr. Davies said Moxico Resource plans to invest over $70 million in two mining projects in Mimbula and Kalengwa areas in Chingola and Mufumbwe on the Copperbelt and North-Western provinces respectively.
He said Copper production at Mimbula Minerals Limited in Chingola is expected to start early next year. Adding that the company will start construction for its Mimbula project next month following final environmental approvals with Kalengwa being on course for next year.
Mr. Davies said the Mining firm will inject between US$ 30 million and US$70 million in the open pit mine and the mine is expected to produce 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of copper annually.
He said the mining company has so far created over 200 jobs for local Zambians and was aiming at working and creating partnerships with the local community.
Mr. Davies added that “The Zambian Government has created a conducive business environment and the official opening of Mimbula Minerals will bring about significant economic transformation in Chingola as well as the country in general. When we integrate our mining operations with agriculture, we are confident we will bring many additional benefits to the communities we will work within.” We are fully committed to Zambia and want to develop skilled employees across all of our operations and in doing so make sure that the benefits involve local people, contractors and suppliers” he said.
Meanwhile High Commissioner Chikonde said Zambia was an attractive investment destination that was trying to diversify in various lucrative investment areas which included tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, energy and mining but that the mining sector has, and will continue, to play a critical role in the economic development of the Zambia.
Mr. Chikonde said there was a good working relationship between the Zambian Government and the mining sector adding that the industry has continued to record postive growth and there was an increased mineral production, expansion of existing mines and opening of new mines like Mimbula Minerals.
