By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE Copperbelt University (CBU) will soon start commercial production of aluminium sulphate that is going to significantly reduce imports of the commodity by water utilities in the country.
In 2013, the School of Mines embarked on research to look at the possibility of producing aluminium sulphate, a chemical used in water purification on commercial level.
CBU deputy vice-chancellor Shadreck Chama said tests for aluminium production had been impressive.
“The idea was conceived in 2013; we have been producing the product on a small scale for education purposes, but we decided to set up a processing plant and start supplying water utilities,” Dr Chama said.
He said in Kitwe that the university was in the process of patenting the product before starting full production.
Dr Chama appealed to water companies like Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) to partner with the school to produce the commodity.
He observed that water utility firms had been importing the commodity despite the possibility of producing it locally.
“Let us partner and reduce imports of aluminium sulphate because these things can be produced cheaply, especially that the inputs used can be accessed locally from mining slugs,” Dr Chama said.
NWSC managing director Anna Makwaba said the institution was ready to work closely with CBU in finding affordable ways of accessing inputs.
“We will decide to partner after examining the quality and quantity that can meet our needs, this is a good idea,” Ms Makwaba said.
She said she would dispatch a team of experts to the university laboratory after which a decision would be reached.