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Utilise KCM smelter to earn US$392m, govt advised

By ADRIAN MWANZA

GOVERNMENT should not be rigid and utilise Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) smelter to recoup over US$392 million from the 43, 000 metric tonnes of concentrate lying idle in Lumwana, says the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ).

EAZ outgoing president Lubinda Haabazoka said there was need to ensure that the smelter which Anglo America spent over US$78 million to refurbish, is used effectively so that the country could add more value on its copper.

Dr Haabazoka said t it was heartbreaking to note that 43, 000 metric tonnes was stuck in Lumwana while the smelter had the capacity to add value to the Copper concentrate.

He said the government needed to look into the matter and come up with a solution especially that the country was grappling with a number of issues economically.

Dr Haabazoka said that there was no way the country could be sitting on millions of dollars yet failing to utilise assets that could ensure that the country could earn more.

“I feel there is need for government to look closely in the matter and ensure that the KCM Smelter is utilised to its full potential,” he said.

Dr Haabazoka said the country was losing a lot of resources because copper was not being enhanced therefore selling at a relatively lower price instead of purifying it and even extracting other minerals that could be sold at a higher price.

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