Zambian go-ahead on copper, gold and uranium projects

Three mining projects in Zambia get the nod from environmental authorities, a move that paves the way for further progress on Luanshya Copper Mines Plc’s Mulyashi project.

NDOLA - 

The Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) has approved Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) Plc's Mulyashi project, clearing the way for its development.

Mulyashi was among three mining related projects approved by the ECZ, which included copper-gold explorations by AIM-listed African Eagle's Zambian subsidiary Mwembeshi Resources Limited in the country's Eastern Province. The third project is a bid by TSX Venture Exchange-listed Aldershot Resources Limited to explore for uranium in the Kariba Valley, an area that seems to be drawing considerable interest from uranium-focused explorers. Other explorers combing the Kariba Valley include African Energy Resources with Albidon Limited and OmegaCorp.

The approval of the Mulyashi Copper Mine project, which is anticipated to become operational by next year, is set to revamp the fortunes of Luanshya, a mining district that was devastated by the closure of a mine operated by Roan Antelope Mining Company Zambia Limited. The only failure of Zambia's mine privatisation programme, the Luanshya Division of the defunct Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) was the first unit to be sold in 1997.

LCM also operates the Baluba Mine and concentrator in Luanshya, as well as Chambishi Metals Plc, the country's largest cobalt producer.

The Mulyashi project comprises a number of oxide caps near Baluba and the closed Luanshya Mine. ECZ spokesperson Justin Mukosa said the council was convinced that LCM had instituted adequate environmental protection measures hence the project's approval.

Mukosa also stated that the ECZ has approved Mwembeshi and Aldershot's exploration activities on condition that the operators undertake ecological restoration by planting trees and grass in areas where vegetation and soil would be seriously disturbed by the activities.

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