Lumwana to start first copper productionBy NANCY MWAPELUMWANA...

Lumwana to start first copper production
By NANCY MWAPE

LUMWANA Copper Mine is to start first copper production this December following the arrival of a 20 MVA transformer.

In July this year, a fire damaged Lumwana Copper Mine’s 20 MVA transformer, resulting in delays to the projected completion schedule for the mine.

Lumwana mine whose construction started in 2006 was expected to start production in July this year.

Receiving the equipment in Lusaka, Lumwana Copper Mine corporate affairs director, Nathan Chishimba said the arrival of the transformer marked a major milestone in the recovery programme to get back to production.

“We are very thrilled with the arrival of the transformer, it’s a major step for us,’’ he said.
Mr Chishimba said the mine would start production this December and commissioning elsewhere in the plant had proceeded as scheduled.

He said the crasher at the plant had already been commissioned when mine construction slow down due to the gutted MVA transformer.

He said installation of the transformer would put the mine back on track with other works already going on.

And Lumwana Copper Mine consultant, AB Ventures logistic manager, Jenny Lowe, who was transporting the equipment said the transformer was bought from Brazil.

Ms Lowe said the equipment was transported by sea to Durban and by road to Zambia through Zimbabwe.

“We had no problems through out our journey. The Zambian people at Chirundu border were so helpful,’’ she said.

She said the transformer was critical to the mine as it regulated electricity to the plant.

“We already have the switch gear in place. All this equipment is coming in together slowly to be part and parcel of what we shall be handing over to our client Lumwana Mine,’’ he said.

Lumwana Copper Mine has a 37-year lifespan and will process 20 million tonnes of ore per year to produce copper concentrates for shipment to local smelters.

Annual copper production will average 156,000 tonnes, with over 172,000 tonnes produced yearly during the initial six-year period.

Lumwana Copper Mine also wants to construct a uranium mining plant at the same mine and feasibility has been done.