Kankoyo Member of Parliament, Heartson Mabeta, has expressed optimism that Konkola Copper Mines, KCM, is expected to start its operations following the completion of the court processes that have derailed further investments into the mine.
This follows the completion of court processes on the running of the mine asset by Vedanta Resource.
Mr. Mabeta is also confident that Vedanta is going to pay the K2,500 for each employee as a once off bonus.
“Vedanta will also spend another $200 million per year in the next 5 years to buy new equipment, complete the Konkola deep mine project and rebuild the copper smelter,” said Mr. Mabeta in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
And the lawmaker expressed delight that Mopani Copper Mines is this month expected to complete maintenance works at the shut-down smelter to bring it back to its maximum copper processing capacity.
He said that the development will create additional 400 new permanent jobs for youths on the Copperbelt Province.
Mr. Mabeta said that the new investors at the mine, Delta Investments, have also committed to install equipment that will increase copper production from an average 5,500 metric tonnes, to 14,000 metric tonnes per month once fully operational.
By Angel Kasabo
