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LOCAL CONTRACTORS WIN BIG IN $1.7BN FQM BONANZA

SOLWEZI AND KALUMBILA, ZAMBIA – First Quantum Minerals spent US$1.7 billion within Zambia in the last year, latest figures from the company have revealed.
The mining giant’s Kansanshi Mining Plc subsidiary spent US$958,767,110 locally in 2019, while US$659,712,101 was spent by Kalumbila Minerals Ltd at Sentinel mine. This equates to 88% and 80% of the mines’ total spend respectively.
The company’s Roads Division alone spent $152,815,503 within Zambia – 72% of its total expenditure for the year. In partnership with local town councils, it has stabilised roads in Solwezi, Kalumbila and other districts that were previously in a deplorable condition and presented a danger to road users.
The Roads Division is responsible for the construction and continuous maintenance of the roads and infrastructure on all First Quantum Minerals operations in Zambia, as well as development of the roads infrastructure of the communities in which it operates.
FQM Country Manager General Kingsley Chinkuli said that because of the company’s intensive use of infrastructure, FQM has recognised the transport sector as an important component of the economy and a common tool used for development.
“The relationship between the quantity and quality of transport infrastructure and the level of economic development is apparent,” he noted.
He added that to promote transparency and accountability, FQM adheres to the procurement procedures and laws of Zambia and strives to procurement from Zambian registered business.
“It is entirely right and proper that mines are open to scrutiny and held accountable for their actions, and indeed First Quantum goes to great lengths to ensure it is transparent in its corporate operations and sustainability programmes,” said General Chinkuli.
Projects that the company’s Road Division in recent years include a 2,800m runway at Solwezi, another 2,800m runway at Kalumbila, the earthworks and internal roads for the Kansanshi copper smelter, and the earthworks and internal roads for the new Sentinel mine process plant. They also include a 32km access road to the newly developed Sentinel mine at Kalumbila, a 15km access road to the new copper smelter and various roads around Solwezi, including the main access road to Kansanshi Mine.
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Kansanshi Donates 2838 books to solwezi council

Solwezi Municipal Council has received a donation of 2, 838 books from Kansanshi Mine Plc.

Speaking when he received the donation, Solwezi Mayor Nicholas Mukumbi said books still remain the most popular source of information and knowledge for academics

Mr Mukumbi said despite the advent of Information Communication Technologies (ICT), the books helps to improve the reading and writing skills of people.

He said the Council is in the process of establishing a Library at the Kimasala Community Centre and planned to set up one preferably at the Civic Centre and others in each ward in order to reduce on movement of people from distant places to access books.

The Mayor encouraged members of the community to read the books once the Library is opened.

He expressed gratitude to the mining company for the gesture indicating that it will go a long way in improving the literacy levels of many in the district.

And Kansanshi Mining Plc Education Advisor Onward Mandevu said that Solwezi district and Zambia at large cannot develop with low literacy levels hence the donation of the novels, early childhood and senior school textbooks will help develop a culture of reading within the district because people that read, keep learning.

Kimasala Ward Councilor Nephan Kamwandi thanked the Council for being equal to the task by implementing provisions of the Local Government Act No. 2 of 2019 and bringing education services closer to the people as this guarantees improved literacy levels in Solwezi district.

Mr Kamwandi said the community will be enlightened about the donation and the importance of reading because this is for their benefit.

This is according to a media statement made available to The Independent Observer by Solwezi Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Esther Chirwa
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Maamba Collieries Intensifies COVID – 19 Safety Measures

Maamba Collieries Ltd (MCL), the largest thermal power producer in Zambia has scaled-up efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, by implementing stringent preventive safety measures.

Maamba Collieries Manager Yotham Phiri said MCL is treating the global pandemic with utmost seriousness, and taking all measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff, while also sensitising the community.

“We are alive to the gravity of the situation and are taking every possible precaution to prevent the COVID-19 infecting our people. Measures we have implemented include daily fumigation of all MCL buildings, equipment and vehicles to minimise contamination, as well as stopping all visitors. Our safety team is working hard to ensure every entry point to the mine and all buildings have sanitising equipment for our staff to use.” He said

And HR and Administration Manager Bwali Ndau highlighted measures to minimise person-to-person contact and ensuring social distancing and personal hygiene have been put in place.

In a statement made available to the Zamvian Business Times – ZBT on April 7, 2020 MCL has advised all employees who had travelled abroad on vacation, not to return to Zambia or if they return, to adhere to strict health guidelines and has stopped non-essential travel within the country, until the situation returns to normal.

MCL interventions against COVID-19 have also extended to the sensitisation of the local community, special sessions for school children on hygiene, helping the community with materials to ensure hygiene, as well as donating a critical care ventilator for treatment of infected personnel.

Meanwhile, in support of the request of the Sinazongwe Council, MCL has donated the much-need materials for the COVID-19 Isolation Site – including N95 masks, disposable overalls, gumboots, gloves as well as hand-washing facilities and personal hygiene items including liquid hand wash soap, detergent and much-needed fuel for vehicles.

Maamba Collieries is a key player in Zambia’s energy sector feeding 300MW into the national grid. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, MCL has ensured it remains at the forefront in the fight against the deadly virus in the country, through a strong demonstration of commitment to stringent safet

Source: Zambian Busines Times
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Maamba collieries – empowering community and workforce safety

Maamba Collieries Ltd (MCL) has scaled-up efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, implementing stringent preventive safety measures.

SHEQ Manager Yotham Phiri said MCL is treating the global pandemic with utmost seriousness, and taking all measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff, while also sensitising the community.

He said “We are alive to the gravity of the situation and are taking every possible precaution to prevent the COVID-19 infecting our people. Measures we have implemented include daily fumigation of all MCL buildings, equipment and vehicles to minimise contamination, as well as stopping all visitors. Our safety team is working hard to ensure every entry point to the mine and all buildings have sanitising equipment for our staff to use.”

HR and Administration Manager Bwali Ndau highlighted that measures to minimise person-to-person contact, ensuring social distancing and personal hygiene have been put in place. Also, special COVID-19 advisory posters have been posted at multiple locations to remind everyone of necessary precautions. As an added precaution, MCL has advised all employees who had travelled abroad on vacation, not to return to Zambia and has stopped non-essential travel within the country, until the situation returns to normal.

MCL interventions against COVID-19 have also extended to the sensitisation of the local community, special sessions for school children on hygiene, helping the community with materials to ensure hygiene, as well as donating a critical care ventilator for treatment of infected personnel.

Meanwhile, in support of the request of the Sinazongwe Council, MCL is donating much-need materials for the COVID-19 Isolation Site – including N95 masks, disposable overalls, gumboots, gloves as well as hand-washing facilities and personal hygiene items including liquid hand wash soap, detergent and much-needed fuel for vehicles.

Maamba Collieries is a key player in Zambia’s energy sector feeding 300MW into the national grid. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, MCL has ensured it remains at the forefront in the fight against the deadly virus in the country, through a strong demonstration of commitment to stringent safety measures and community awareness.

Source: Mining News
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KCM Liquidator stays as Vedanta’s petition to have him removed is rejected

The tribunal appointed in the arbitration proceedings in the matter of Vedanta versus ZCCH-IH which were commenced by the former, has rejected the application for the withdrawal of the matter as well as the removal of the liquidator, according to a statement from ZCCM-IH.

“Shareholders of ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (“ZCCM-IH”) are referred to the announcements dated 23 May 2019, concerning the filing by ZCCM-IH of a petition in the High Court of Zambia for the winding up of Konkola Copper Mines PLC (“KCM”) on 21 May 2019 (the “Petition”), the appointment by the Court of Mr. Milingo Lungu as provisional liquidator of KCM (the “Provisional Liquidator”) and the legal proceedings commenced in the High Court of South Africa and applications made to the Zambian High Court by Vedanta Resources Limited and Vedanta Resources Holdings Limited (together “Vedanta”)”, read a statement authorized by order of the Board issued by Company Secretary Chabby Chabala on 1st April 2020. “In compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act No. 41 of 2016, shareholders are informed that on 23 March 2020, the tribunal appointed in arbitration proceedings commenced by Vedanta against ZCCM-IH dismissed an application by Vedanta for an interim measure requiring ZCCM-IH to withdraw the Petition and procure the removal of the Provisional Liquidator from office”.

ZCCM-IH has indicated it will provide details of these proceedings in due course. KCM is currently under provisional liquidation, a process that was initiated by ZCCM-IH, a minority shareholder, which presented a petition for compulsory liquidation in the High Court on 21st May, 2019.

A comprehensive Ministerial statement on the petition was provided by Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Richard Musukwa to Zambia’s parliament following the appointment of the liquidator.

“The petition included an application for the appointment of a provisional liquidator”, read the Minister’s statement. “The appointment of a provisional liquidator was necessitated by the need to protect assets in the interim period between the presentation of the petition and the determination of the matter”.

Prior to the petition application, the Minister stated that there was a technical audit that was conducted on the mine by a multifaceted team of professionals. “The audit was conducted by a technical audit committee appointed by the Government comprising experts in mineral resources management, mineral processing, governance, labour issues, mining engineers and business administrators including lawyers from various institutions such as the Government, academia, the legal profession, industry and various universities in our country”.

The technical team revealed the following areas of concern regarding the financial and operational health of Zambia’s wettest mine:

  • High Indebtedness and Threat of Insolvency
  • Non-Compliance to the Commitment to Bring In Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
  • Lack of Investment to Develop New Ore Sources
  • Failure to Adopt Cost-Effective Means of Production
  • Lack of a Strategic Plan to Improve Operations at KCM

As the matter continues to play out, the Mines Minister’s message remains consistent. In February 2020, at the annual Cape Town Mining Indaba, he reiterated some of the challenges the country had faced with investor. “Zambia is a victim and it needs support. Vedanta Resources pledged to put in $300 million (R4.44 billion) they further pledged $500m and another $250m they did not bring that money”, read an extract from his response regarding the KCM debacle.

Source: Financial Insight Zambia
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Govt grounds Luanshya Copper Mines

By BENNIE MUNDANDO
MY ministry has suspended all mining operations by Luanshya Copper Mines including ground clearing in the Roan Basin until the mine meets all the conditions of approval of the project, Mines Minister Richard Musukwa has said.
Mr. Musukwa told the Sunday Nation that the Roan Basin Pit is part of the five open pits comprising ore sources for the Muliashi Copper Project of LCM.
He said the other four open pits were Muliashi North Pit, Muliashi South Pit, Baluba East Pit, and Baluba Central Pit.
He said the Roan Basin Pit Site is overlain with critical surface infrastructure that includes the Cricket Club, the Tennis Club and lies in close proximity to the main General Offices, soccer field and residential houses.
He said the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), with input from Mines Safety Department, approved the Muliashi Copper Project by CLM through a letter dated November 10, 2010.
He said the project was approved subject to, amongst other conditions, that “CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines Plc shall not implement mining of the Roan Basin which was close to the general offices for the company and the residential areas within the Town Centre without submitting a specific plan that shall be approved by relevant authorities.”
“With total disregard of the condition in the Decision Letter, management commenced clearing the site for the Roan Basin Open Pit and in the process disturbed some surface infrastructure such as the Cricket Club and the Basketball Court. Management’s explanation for this action was that they first wanted to clear the surface area and not to commence mining operations.
“They further claimed that they wanted to ward off the illegal miners by maintaining their presence on the ground. The truth of the matter is that clearing of the ground is commencement of project implementation. The company is in clear breach of the condition of approval of the project by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency,” Mr. Musukwa said.
He said for this reason, the ministry had suspended all mining operations, including ground clearing in the Roan Basin, until the mine meets all the conditions of approval of the project.
“Further, appropriate sanctions (penalties) will be applied on the mine as provided for under the Mines and Minerals Development Act in addition to sanctions to be applied by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency,” Mr Musukwa said.

Source: Daily Nation
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Kansanshi Mine donates 61,650 books to be distributed to school children in Solwezi

FQM’s Kansanshi Mine today unveiled 61,650 books made up of textbooks and leisure reading books to be distributed to school children in Solwezi. North Western Provincial minister Hon. Mubukwanu commended the mine for uplifting education standards in Solwezi and said the books would keep our children busy while their schools remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. #FQMinvestsineducation.
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MINING OPERATIONS SUSPENDED

By Robert Mwanza:

Government has suspended mining activities at the Roan Basin CNMC-Luanshya copper Mines PLC.

Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says this is because the firm has not met all the conditions of approval of the project.

Mr. Musukwa says it is sad that the firm had started to carry out some activities even before the project is fully approved.

To this effect, Mr. Musukwa says appropriate sanctions will be mated out on the mining company by Government.

In a statement to ZNBC News today, The Minister said with total disregard of the conditions, management started clearing the site for the roan basin open pit and in the process disturbed some surface infrastructure such as the cricket club and the basketball court.

However, management’s explanation for the action is that the firm wanted to clear the surface area and not to start mining operations.

According to the production projections submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, Mining of the Roan Basin is scheduled to start towards the end of the Muliashi Project in 2025.

Source: ZNBC
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Mopani Copper Mines to review spending in the midst of the coronavirus threat

Mopani Copper Mines, a Zambia subsidiary of Glencore is set to do a comprehensive review which aims to minimise cash outflow to guard against uncertainty caused by the threat of coronavirus

“The rapid decline in the price of copper due to the impact of COVID-19 has now placed significant additional pressure on Mopani’s operations,” the company said in a statement.

Copper prices are set for their worst week since 2011 after sliding 10% so far.

The metal, often referred to as “Dr Copper” because it acts as a bellwether for the global economy, has been hit hard by the global slowdown caused by coronavirus.

Mopani said the review would give it the necessary financial flexibility to navigate the downturn.

The miner also said it had plans in place to reduce the risk of disruption to its operations from coronavirus. Several mines in Peru and one in Canada have shut due to the pandemic.

Mopani Copper Mines, which produced 119,000 tonnes of copper in 2018, is 73.1% owned by Glencore, 16.9% by First Quantum Minerals and 10% by Zambia’s mining investment arm ZCCM-IH.

Source: Zambia Mining Magazine
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CEC | Post-BSA Market Announcement

In accordance with Section 81(1) of the Securities Act No. 41 of 2016, the Board of Directors of Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (“CEC” or “the Company”) advises the Company’s shareholders, and the market, that further to the Market Announcement issued by the Company on 2nd January 2020, the power purchase agreement or Bulk Supply Agreement (“BSA”) between CEC and ZESCO Limited (“ZESCO”), entered into on 21 November 1997 came to an end on Tuesday, 31st March 2020.

In the last circa seven weeks, CEC and a Government of the Republic of Zambia (“GRZ”) team which included ZESCO have been engaged in negotiations for a new power supply agreement. While the initial understanding was that the parties would work to put in place an interim agreement, it became clear during the negotiations that the intention was to agree a wholesomely new agreement with totally different terms. CEC believes that throughout the negotiation, it held its end of approaching the negotiations in good faith. At end of day on 31st March 2020, the parties had not reached agreement on account of certain terms seen as key requirements from either side and which so far are not acceptable to either party. On its part, CEC has faced some terms being demanded by the GRZ team which, if accepted, would be injurious to the CEC business and impact its ability to continue operating as a going concern.

In CEC’s view, achieving a mutually acceptable power supply agreement between the parties remains of strategic importance to the electricity sector and the country. Therefore, CEC remains confident that the parties will use the next several weeks to narrow the negotiation gap so as to achieve the much required new power supply agreement between them.

CEC wishes to assure its shareholders and all stakeholders that it will do its best to ensure that any agreement it enters into will be negotiated in good faith and reflect a fair outcome so as to ensure the business continues to operate as a going concern thereafter.

It is CEC’s understanding that in the meantime, both CEC and ZESCO remain committed to continue meeting their full obligations to their customers without service being affected in any way. On its part, CEC reiterates its total commitment to continue providing seamless power supply services to all its customers (mining and non-mining consumers) on the Copperbelt while the parties continue to seek resolution of the outstanding matters and follow through with conclusion of the negotiation for a new power supply agreement.

By Order of the Board

Julia C Z Chaila
Company Secretary

Issued in Lusaka, Zambia on Wednesday, 1st April 2020