Features

FQM’s KANSANSHI MINE HANDS OVER REVAMPED MATERNITY WING AT SOLWEZI GENERAL HOSPITAL

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) subsidiary Kansanshi Mining Plc has officially handed over the reconstructed maternity wing at Solwezi General Hospital to the government following repairs to extensive storm damage to the building. The entire roof of the hospital’s maternity wing and trusses covering an area of 768 sq. metres were …

Read More »

Zambia’s history of copper production — Part 2

Economic growth takes centre stage In Part 1 of Zambia’s history of copper production, we reflected on the country’s progression from the early days of large-scale production of the red metal almost 100 years ago, to the challenges that led to the re-privatisation of the industry at the end of the …

Read More »

FQM MAINTAINS PRODUCTION AND JOBS DESPITE SECTOR-WIDE WOES

Stabilising operations, maintaining workforce and production have become a difficult task for the mining sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an unfavourable mining tax code, but FQM has so far achieved mostly positive results Global mining giant First Quantum Minerals (FQM) has maintained jobs and production at its operations in …

Read More »

Zambia facing hurdles with its copper exports due to Covid-19

Africa’s second-largest copper producer, Zambia, has faced hurdles to export its copper amid the COVID-19 pandemic as it is a landlocked country which needs to use ports in other countries situated near the seacoast like South Africa. The country’s copper exports to China have been affected by COVID-19 lockdowns imposed …

Read More »

GV Gold increases production with the help of digital technologies

GV Gold, also known as Vysochaishy, one of the fastest-growing Russian gold mining companies, has rolled out the Zyfra OpenMine fleet management system (FMS) at its Ugakhan Mine in Russia’s Irkutsk Region in Siberia. The implementation of the project has resulted in a year-on-year ore production volume increase of 11%. …

Read More »

Trident acquires royalty over Zambian copper mine

Trident Resources has acquired a gross revenue royalty (GRR) over production from Moxico Resources’ Mimbula copper mine, in Zambia, as well as over associated stockpiles, for $5-million in cash. Trident is entitled to royalty payments on production starting from July 1 and extending in perpetuity. Moxico is a private company, which is rapidly …

Read More »

Slow border logistics is costing Africa a fortune and must be brought to an end

When I last visited Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, I was horrified by the dreadfully long queues of heavily laden trucks waiting to cross through border posts. I chatted to a few of the truck drivers and they complained bitterly about their long waits. It’s simply nonsensical and a gross brake …

Read More »

Govt tensions with power firm CEC bad for investment- Zambia Chamber of Mines

The Zambia Chamber of Commerce believes that the government’s attempt to force Copperbelt Energy Corp (CEC) to open up its infrastructure to other power producers has dented the country’s image as an investment destination. Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa issued a decree last Friday compelling CEC to allow others to transmit …

Read More »

How will multinational mining companies respond to investors’ growing focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues?

Despite the short-to-midterm challenges of the global pandemic, the biggest challenge for multinational mining companies over the next decade will be responding to investors’ growing focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. As a focal point of how seriously the extractives industries are now taking ESG investing, over the …

Read More »

We Need a Cohesive Strategy and Coordinated Approach for SMEs to grow post COVID-19

The announcement of a prolonged shut-down across many major African countries as a measure to contain the spread of COVID-19 could have dramatic negative effects on the economy of the entire continent. Africa’s GDP is largely driven by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the informal sector that accounts for …

Read More »