The Times of Zambia reported that Zambia is poised to become a leading coal producer in the region by 2013 due to increased investments in the mining sector.

Mines Minister Wilbur Simuusa said given the current rate of development in the mining industry supported by strong economic growth as well as attractive commodity prices of coal on the international market, Zambia was poised to become the leading coal producer in the region.

The Zambian government expects the country's coal production to hit 200, 000 tonnes per month by mid 2013 and this is attributed to the current upgrades going on at the country's largest coal producer, Maamba Collieries Limited and new projects to be undertaken during the year.

The Zambian minister however said that the coal mining industry had not yet developed to the level of the copper mining sector and that more investment needed to be attracted in the sector to improve production.

The country's largest coal producer is targeting to start producing 100, 000 tons of coal by mid 2013 due to investments pumped in by the new owners, Nava Bharat of Singapore, who acquired a 65% stake in the mine in 2010.

(Sourced from Xinhua)