Maamba Collieries

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Maamba Collieries has resumed operations and supplying full power to ZESCO – CEO Minwalla

Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL) has completed its scheduled maintenance works on one of its two 150 MW units at the coal-fired thermal power plant three days ahead of schedule and has since resumed operations at full capacity and is supplying full power to ZESCO.

Maamba Collieries Limited has upheld its commitment made to the government and ZESCO, during His Excellency the Republican President of Zambia Mr Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to Maamba on 8th January 2023, to commence operations well before the scheduled date of 20th January 2023. His Excellency inspected the plant to obtain a better understanding of the operations of the thermal power plant and discuss how best such maintenance works should be done going forward without disrupting the energy supply.

“We are happy to inform the nation that the unit was started up and synchronised with the national grid at 09:30 hrs on 17th January, 2023. Both 150 MW power units at Maamba Collieries are now running at full capacity, thanks to sustained efforts by the maintenance teams. The teams worked tirelessly day and night and deployed additional manpower to bring the unit back online three days ahead of the scheduled date for start-up” said MCL CEO Lt Col Cyrus Minwalla (Retd).

“Reducing three days in a 16-day scheduled maintenance shutdown (earlier scheduled up to 19thJanuary) was a herculean task and required our technical teams to work round the clock to bring the unit back online at the earliest, to lessen the impact of the load shedding. This would not have been possible without the support from ZESCO and the government,” Col. Minwalla added

Col. Minwalla explained that the shutdown of the unit, which had earlier been rescheduled on request by the utility, was taken up to allow critical maintenance works, essential for the safety and long-term operational efficiency of the Thermal Power Plant, adding that the modern, eco-friendly coal-fired power plant – the only one of its kind in Zambia – is complex with start-of-the-art systems, and due to the nature of its operations, requires robust periodic maintenance as recommended by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to ensure long term sustained availability.

“Maamba Collieries will continue working with ZESCO and Energy Regulation Board to ensure schedules for mandatory maintenance are adjusted as far as possible, to accommodate the national requirement of power and to minimise disruption of the electricity,” he said

He further explained that the present shortage of rainfall in the country has reduced the power generation capacity from hydro plants drastically, and baseload energy producers like Maamba Collieries, which are not dependent on rainfall, play a key role in managing the energy deficit using resources available in Zambia without recourse to imports. The country’s largest independent power producer is presently supplying more than 10 per cent of the nation’s power, due to the reduced hydro-based generation in Zambia.

Col. Minwalla said that as energy is the prime mover of the economy and industry, Maamba Collieries Ltd remains committed to alleviating the energy deficit, including capacity expansion to ensure increased diversity and energy security.

Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL), in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province, is Zambia’s largest coal mine and the nation’s biggest Independent Power Producer (IPP) with Zambia’s only coal-fired Thermal Power Plant (TPP).

The company operates a 300 MW (2 X 150 MW units) modern, eco-friendly coal-fired power plant – the only one of its kind in Zambia – with the capacity to supply 10 percent of the country’s current installed electricity generation capacity.

MCL is owned 65 percent by Nava Bharat Singapore Pte. Ltd and 35 percent by ZCCM-IH, with some US$919 million invested since 2010.

The plant provides diversity in the nation’s energy mix and contributes to the nation’s base load electricity demand with high-availability power that is independent of climate change.

 

Source: Lusaka Times
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VP hails Maamba Collieries for taking “huge corporate social responsibility

VICE-PRESIDENT M u t a l e N a l u m a n g o says contrary to certain perceptions, an investor is not any enemy of the people, arguing that there is need to tell the story that investors mean well. And Sinazongwe UPND member of parliament Gift Sialubalo has commended Maamba Collieries Limited (MLCs) for being “the most committed to corporate social responsibility firm in Zambia”. Speaking when she toured MLC, Monday Vice-President Nalumango described the firm’s CRS undertaking as huge. “The corporate social responsibility is huge here. I think every Zambian village or town is looking for a private investor to go to them if everybody behaves in the manner that like Maamba Collieries is behaving, it is huge. We care as government about the displacement because people come, they set up and after they have set up their company, the people are displaced, and they go right back probably in the worst situation like that house you showed me my sister. But look at what you have done, you have respected people in a better housing facility. Is that not what we are looking for to change the livelihoods of our people? And that starts with the housing, we commend,” she said “Colleagues, look at the roads, that is what we expect, and would anybody complain? Because I know our people, when they hear investor, [they think it] is an enemy of the people. But what we need is to tell this story that an investor is not an enemy of the people, an investor means well because what is happening here, and I am so happy because the MP is here, they are the ones who give us all sorts of sleepless nights about everything and everyone but the MP, member of parliament here honorable Sialubalo has confirmed that you have been working.” She said government was grateful that MLC was not just complying with the law but fulfilling people’s expectations. “Now that I am here, I am so grateful, you are truly working to comply with not just the law of our country but also expectations of our people. Like my colleagues that have already commended, and I would invite you to diversify into other areas,” Vice-President Nalumango said.

She encouraged the company to ensure environmental protection in its operations. “And another thing that I should talk about is smart mining that you are doing, being able to even fill up the holes that were left earlier and for that, I commend you. We encourage you to go on and care for your people like your own, you have only one earth on the issue of environmental sustainability. You only have one earth and Zambia sits on this earth so anything you do that makes us avoid climate change is important,” said VicePresident Nalumango.

And Sialubalo also commended MLCs’ commitment to CSR. “Madam, when I visit your office talking about Maamba Collieries, don’t term me praise singer of Maamba Collieries. Maamba Collieries has been a major partner in the development of Sinazongwe. Apart from what you have seen, they constructed a shelter at the same hospital where we are heading to [and] right now, what they are doing is they are patching up Batoka-Maamba road which is in a bad state. I just wrote a letter to them to say as we wait for government to come in, what can we do together [and] within a week, they were on site. They are doing a commendable job, there is no investor, Madam, that I have seen in Zambia who is more committed to CSR rather Maamba Collieries, they deserve our support as government,” said Sialubalo.

Meanwhile, MLC senior electrical engineer Robby Mwelwa said the firm injected over 250 megawatts into the national grid per day and contributed about K2 billion to the national treasury as
at September 30. “We inject 267.6 megawatts into the national grid, so we generate 300, the rest we use it for auxiliary consumption and what remains is what we inject in the national grid. So our
operations here, your honour, are actually in tandem, we collaborate with ZESCO our shut down, whatever we need to do, we are in contact with ZESCO and ZESCO will always advise on what we need to do. This is our thermal power plant performance your honour, as of 30th September 2022, we have been able to inject 9,663 megawatt hours into the national grid,” he said.

We have now been able to inject about K2.166 billion in the national treasury as of 30th September, we are working in tandem with the 8th National Development Plan, and we contribute 10% to the national installed capacity. So, as you can see your honour from the pie chart here, most of the power generated in Zambia is hydro sitting at 81% and for us Maamba we are able to contribute
10% using this coal which was regarded as waste.”

Mwelwa reaffirmed the company’s commitment to CSR. “You honour, here, our philosophy is that as the company grows, we need to grow the community where we are operating in. Our motto is
making a difference. As MCL, we believe in making a difference in our operational areas so for us to be able to achieve or deliver, we have areas which we consider. So for our CSR activities, they are centred on education, health and sports, environmental as well as infrastructure development,” said Mwelwa.
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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
Annual Report Summaries

Maamba Colliers LTD Extract from 2019 Annual Report

MCL reported total revenue of ZMW2,486.60 million (US$ 222.10 million) for the financial year ended 31 March 2019 [(2018: ZMW1,172.00 (US$122.73 million)] and had profit after tax of
ZMW554.21 million (US$49.50 million) [(2018: ZMW148.87 million (US$15.59 million). The increase in revenue was due to increased demand for high grade coal from customers and steady production from the thermal power plant, while profit was driven by increased revenue and a deferred tax liability.

During the period under review, Maamba experienced liquidity challenges as a result of late receipt of payments from off takers. Efforts were made to restructure the payments of
outstanding receivables indicating commitment from both parties to rectify the situation. Management of Maamba were committed to cost efficiency measures and remains positive as the company looks forward to the restructuring of tariffs that would remedy systemic mismatches in the sector.

There were no dividends declared during the year under review (2018: Nil).

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Maamba moves power plant pumps to keep Zambia powered

ambia’s Maamba Collieries has relocated water pumps to a new location in the Kariba lake, to provide water for the boilers of its 300 MW coal-fired power plant.

The company said in a release on Friday that this was necessitated by falling water levels in the Kariba lake.

Maamba operates two 150 MW power generating units, each consuming  9 000 m3/d of water when running at full capacity.

The company attributed the low water levels in the area to low rainfall during the last wet season in the country.

“Installing the pumps at a deeper location was not easy in crocodile- and hippo-infested waters, as these had to be kept at bay as men worked in knee-deep waters. We often had to seek the assistance of wildlife wardens to ensure safety,” said mining manager Scott Phiri.

The pump relocation was done within three weeks, with temporary power lines and substations having been set up, as well as a road created to transfer the two 132 kW pumps.

Maamba supplies 10% of Zambia’s current installed electricity generation capacity.

Source: Mining Weekly 
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Continued Falling Water Levels At Kariba Dam Forces Maamba Collieries To Relocate Its Pumps

By Patricia Mbewe

Maamba Collieries ltd has relocated its pumps to a new location in the Kariba Lake to provide water essential for the boilers of its 300-megawatt power plant following falling water levels in Kariba.

Maamba Collieries runs two power generating units, with a capacity of 150 megawatts, each of which consumes about 9,000 cubic meters of water a day when running at full capacity.

Low rainfall during the last wet season caused water levels at the primary location of the pump station in Lake Kariba to drop dramatically from the usual 9-metre depths to zero levels leading to the water at the pumps running dry.

Maamba Development Trust Manager Jethro Sikalunda has said in a statement that mindful of the power crisis in the country and the need to generate essential power, the company redeployed its pumps to a new location in order to keep the thermal plant of the country’s largest independent power producer operating at full capacity and avoid further load-shedding.

Mr. Sikalinda however said the water at the temporary pump station set up about 400 meters from the original suction point, also dried up last year, despite dredging efforts to sustain water depths.

He explained that despite dredging, the temporary pumping site also ran dry, forcing yet another relocation of the pumps further up the lake in deeper waters.
PHOENIX NEWS

Source: Zambia Observer
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Zambia’s largest IPP is transforming the face of Maamba

Contributing around 10% of the nation’s electricity generation capacity has a huge impact on the nation’s energy security and the economy in general, but for Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL), its endeavours do not stop there.

The sponsors and management of MCL understand that no business can be successful, unless the community around it shares in that success. Towards this vision, the company has set up the Maamba Development Trust (MDT), whose motto is, “Making a Difference…”.

The objective is to spearhead social and economic development in Maamba, Sinazongwe District, and in other areas where Maamba Collieries operates. MCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives are part of the company’s social investment policy, centered on community development and improving the living conditions of the people.

The initiative is built on four pillars – education, health, infrastructure development and sports, apart from conserving the environment as well as assisting with other needs of the community.

On the education front, MCL runs the Maamba Private School with over 500 local students and a Nursey for around 160 toddlers, while also providing regular support to the GRZ-run school for differently abled children.

Towards improving health facilities, MCL partnering with the Ministry of Health, is setting up a state of the art eye care unit in Maamba General Hospital to provide eye care to the needy in the district and beyond.  

MCL is also in the final stages of building a clinic near Lake Kariba which will provide access to medical facilities for around 10 remote villages and fishing camps.

The cornerstone of MCL’s CSR interventions has been laying new roads in the Maamba Township – roads which had not seen any work for over four decades – thereby providing dust free and safe roads to travel.

On the sports and fitness front, the company sponsors the First Division Maamba Energy Stars F.C., and provides access to the sporting facilities including golf, tennis, squash and badminton to the local community of Maamba Township.

Meanwhile, the Company has been contributing to the development of the youth and less privileged by running TEVETA approved welding & metal fabrication & power electric courses in its modern, well-equipped Training Centre.

Towards sustaining the livelihood needs of the people, the Company runs tailoring and carpentry classes for the local women and menfolk, skills which they can use for supplementing their meagre income.

“In order for us to mitigate the impact of mining and thermal power generation operations, environmental conservation remains a key focus area. We endeavor to plant over 30,000 trees every year and continuously undertake rehabilitation of waste dumps in order for us to preserve our environment,” said Head Corporate Affairs PJ Sudhir.

Meanwhile, MDT Manager, Jethro Sikalunda highlights that, “MCL also provides much needed access to water for the people of Sinazongwe, by pumping water through a 28-km pipeline from Lake Kariba to SWASCO – to meet the community needs for potable water”.

He added that, “The company also provides support to the three chiefs in its area of operations”.

With the support of all stakeholders, MCL has been   transforming the face of Maamba, bringing much-needed social and economic empowerment, and essentially, MAKING A DIFFERENCE by improving the lives of the community in Maamba and the district of Sinazongwe.

Source: Mining Review Africa
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Zambia’s Largest Independent Power Producer Transforming Face Of Maamba

Zambia’s Largest Independent Power Producer Transforming Face Of Maamba.

Contributing around 10% of the nation’s electricity generation capacity has a huge impact on the nation’s energy security and the economy in general, but for Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL), its endeavours do not stop there.

The sponsors and management of MCL understand that no business can be successful, unless the community around it shares in that success. Towards this vision, the company has set up the Maamba Development Trust (MDT), whose motto is, “Making a Difference…”

The objective is to spearhead social and economic development in Maamba, Sinazongwe District, and in other areas where Maamba Collieries operates. MCL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are part of the company’s social investment policy, centered on community development and improving the living conditions of the people. The initiative is built on four pillars – education, health, infrastructure development and sports, apart from conserving the environment as well as assisting with other needs of the community.

On the education front, MCL runs the Maamba Private School with over 500 local students and a Nursery for around 160 toddlers, while also providing regular support to the GRZ-run school for differently abled children.

Towards improving health facilities, MCL partnering with the Ministry of Health, is setting up a state of the art eye care unit in Maamba General Hospital to provide eye care to the needy in the district and beyond.  MCL is also in the final stages of building a clinic near Lake Kariba which will provide access to medical facilities for around 10 remote villages and fishing camps.

The cornerstone of MCL’s CSR interventions has been laying new roads in the Maamba Township – roads which had not seen any work for over four decades – thereby providing dust free and safe roads to travel.

On the sports and fitness front, the company sponsors the First Division Maamba Energy Stars F.C., and provides access to the sporting facilities including golf, tennis, squash and badminton to the local community of Maamba Township.

Meanwhile, the Company has been contributing to the development of the youth and less privileged by running TEVETA approved welding & metal fabrication & power electric courses in its modern, well-equipped Training Centre. Towards sustaining the livelihood needs of the people, the Company runs tailoring and carpentry classes for local women and menfolk, skills which they can use for supplementing their meagre income.

“In order for us to mitigate the impact of mining and thermal power generation operations, environmental conservation remains a key focus area. We endeavor to plant over 30,000 trees every year and continuously undertake rehabilitation of waste dumps in order for us to preserve our environment,” said Head Corporate Affairs PJ Sudhir.

Meanwhile, MDT Manager, Mr. Jethro Sikalunda highlights that, “MCL also provides much needed access to water for the people of Sinazongwe, by pumping water through a 28-km pipeline from Lake Kariba to SWASCO – to meet the community needs for potable water”.

He added that, “The company also provides support to the three chiefs in its area of operations”.

With the support of all stakeholders, MCL has been transforming the face of Maamba, bringing much-needed social and economic empowerment, and essentially, MAKING A DIFFERENCE by improving the lives of the community in Maamba and the district of Sinazongwe.
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Maamba Collieries resumes full capacity operations

Maamba Collieries has announced that it has resumed full capacity operations despite being hampered by lack of funds.

And the company Chief Executive Officer Rear Admiral Venkat Shankar has welcomed the review of power tariffs saying this will help Zesco make timely payments.

In a statement issued by Langmead and Baker, Saturday, Shankar said the resumption of operations was a result of sustained efforts by management and equipment suppliers, despite being hampered by lack of funds.

“The 300 MW coal-fired power plant of Maamba Collieries Limited has resumed full capacity operations and is supplying the full contracted power to ZESCO. The country’s largest independent power producer is now supplying almost 25 percent of the nation’s power, based on the estimated 1,080 MW of power currently being distributed in Zambia. “We are happy to inform that both 150 MW power units at Maamba Collieries are now running at their full capacity thanks to sustained efforts by the management with the equipment suppliers, despite being hampered by lack of funds”,” the statement read.

“While referring to the recent shutdowns reported in the media, he added that the modern, eco-friendly coal-fired power plant – the only one of its kind in Zambia – is complex, and due to the nature of its operations, needs periodic robust maintenance and specialised technical support, which comes at high costs and cannot be ignored if production is to be assured. He added that MCL has been facing challenges on this account due to shortfall of funds.”

He said timely payments by Zesco would help the company ensure proactive maintenance of the plant and improve availability of power.

“In this context, the CEO said the recent tariff revision augurs well for the energy industry in Zambia as it should allow ZESCO to make timely payments to its power suppliers like Maamba Collieries, which would ensure proactive maintenance of the power plant and improve availability of power. The present shortage of rainfall in the country has reduced the power generation capacity from ZESCO hydro plants drastically, and energy producers like Maamba Collieries, which are not dependent on rainfall, play a key role in the managing energy deficit using resources available in Zambia without recourse to imports,” read the statement.

“Meanwhile, Maamba Collieries will be working with ZESCO to ensure schedules for mandatory major overhauls are adjusted as far as possible to accommodate ZESCO’s requirement of power and to minimise disruption of the nation’s energy supply, the company added.
Rear Admiral Shankar said: “While the last few months have been very challenging for Maamba Collieries due to shortfall in funds, we will strive to provide uninterrupted power to ZESCO, which will reduce the effects of the current electricity deficit. MCL supplying full output capacity, barring scheduled maintenance breaks, can be a reality in the coming months with ZESCO meeting its payment obligations to MCL in full on the back of additional revenue from the tariff revision and the continued support of Government.”.”

Source: News Diggers
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Maamba Collieries in Zambia Sets Record Straight on Load-Shedding

Maamba Collieries in Zambia needs ZESCO to clear outstanding debts owed to the company so it can maintain efficient operations at its 300 MW coal-fired power plant.

Due to a continued shortfall in monthly payments of its power bills by ZESCO, Maamba Collieries (MCL) has not been able to keep up a robust maintenance programme at its modern eco-friendly thermal power plant – which has been contributing significantly to the energy balance of the country.

Read more about mining for coal

The cash flow shortage has resulted in the company being unable to sustain quality proactive maintenance to the 300 MW facility, and the recent forced shutdown of one of its two generation units, halving its power supplied to the national grid of Zambia to 130 MW.

“Maamba Collieries makes a significant contribution to the national grid and provides a vital diversification from the reliance on hydropower that has proved so vulnerable to climate change.

“We stand ready, willing and able to supply significant base load power to Zambia,” says Maamba Collieries CEO, Rear Admiral Venkat Shankar.

“But without payment from ZESCO – our sole source of revenue – we have insufficient funds to pay for costly spare parts and maintenance as also the project dues to our principal equipment supplier whose expertise we depend on, which is not a desirable situation in these times of energy crisis that the country is facing and may face over the next couple of years.”

The company confirmed that one of its two units was forced to shut down on October 17, 2019 owing to technical fault and requires extensive consultations with the equipment supplier.

A statement from ZESCO on October 18, 2019, attributed an additional three hours of load-shedding to the Maamba shutdown.

Typical of the state-of-the-art technology, the power plant requires intensive regular maintenance involving high expenditure for spares, support services from the equipment manufacturers and other maintenance activities.

However, since commencing supplying power in August 2016, there has been a continuous shortfall in monthly payments received from ZESCO against Maamba Collieries’ power bills, explained Rear Admiral Shankar.

The company has not disclosed the amount of funds owed but explained that the payment shortfall has left it with inadequate cash for conduct of operations and maintenance activities. 

“Maamba Collieries considers the emerging situation as being largely attributable to non-receipt of full payments from ZESCO, leading to MCL being cash strapped, which is increasingly beginning to impact the continued running of the plant and its machinery, and its ability to undertake repairs and proactive maintenance.

Under these conditions we are unable to confirm the timeline for resumption of operations of the unit that is shut down or guarantee continued availability of the second unit currently operating,” says Rear Admiral Shankar.

“We are hopeful of ZESCO’s cooperation in meeting our monthly payments, which would ensure that Maamba Collieries will be able to run its plant at full capacity in these difficult times of acute power shortage,” he added.