By CHATULA
KANGALI –
THE construction of the US$260 million Mokambo Copper Mines (MCM) in Mufulira has delayed due to the late issuance of a land title by the local authority.
Changfa Mineral Resources Limited was scheduled to commence construction works at the multi million dollar copper project site next month in Mokambo area.
General manager Lyu Jing said in an interview that works could not commence because the local authority was still processing the land title for the mine.
“We are still waiting for the land title from the local authority, after that we will submit the project to the Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) for assessment and then start capital raising,” he said.
Mr Lyu said that the mine,  once completed would have a production capacity of 3,000 tonnes of copper ore per day and that about 900 people would be expected to  be employed.
He said the company had concluded the geological surveys, mineral explorations and feasibility studies which cost over $500 million.
Mr Lyu said an office block and other building infrastructure been constructed at the project site in Mufulira and that the company had traced vast and rich copper deposits with potential to extend the country’s mining lifespan.
The new mine would offer an alternative source of employment as well as other incentives such as human welfare development under corporate social responsibility for the people of Mufulira.
Mr Ngulube said the local authority would have issued the title had it not been for the company’s application for an extension of land.
“The company wants to expand its projects, they asked for an extension which we are yet to discuss  in the next council meeting,” he said.