China Nonferrous Metals Mining Corporation announced production of its 1 million tonne Chambishi Copper Mine West Orebody project.

Rupiah Banda president of Zambia officiated that the commissioning ceremony and commended the owners of the project for having progressed as scheduled and worked tirelessly during the past 3 years to make this a reality. The expansion of mining by Chinese investors is uplifting the lives of the people by creating jobs, reviving economic prospects in this district.

Mr Wang Chunlai GM of NFCA said that the total reserves of the West Orebody are estimated at 45 million tonnes with a copper grade of 2.25%. The expected copper ore annual output is 1 million tonnes with service life estimated at 25 years. The project will provide 1,500 new job opportunities to the local people.

Mr Luo Tao GM of CNMC said that the company has over the years invested more than USD 1.4 billion in Zambia and will during the next 3 years further invest USD 1 billion in the Zambian China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited and other projects. This will not only bring CNMC's investment in Zambia to more than USD 2.5 billion but also provide 20,000 employment opportunities to the Zambian community by 2013.

CNMC acquired 85% of shares of Chambishi Copper Mine through an open bid in 1998. Equipped with technological innovation, Chambishi Copper Mine was reopened in 2003 after 13 years of closure and currently produces about 24,000 tons of copper per annum. CNMC is China's top nonferrous metal company that has the largest investment in overseas mining assets. It currently has 20 million tonnes of heavy nonferrous metals and 300 million tonnes of bauxite overseas.

(Sourced from english.cri.cn)