By NATION REPORTER
AFTER a decade-long delay, work on First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Sulphide No. 3 expansion project at Kansanshi Mine has started.
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Plans for the S3 expansion were halted in in 2013 due to adverse and inconsistent fiscal conditions.
The project is expected to create almost 2,000 jobs at its peak, and FQM is taking steps to make the project more productive, efficient and environmentally friendly by using diesel-electric mining equipment.
The Mines is also embedding design and engineering improvements into the Sulphide Process Plant, based on learnings from Sentinel and Cobre Panama.
Kansanshi Mine General Manager, Anthony Mukutuma, says the mining firm has bolstered its fleet with the addition of the first of 41 Hitachi EH4000 diesel electric dump truck that has just been commissioned on the mine site.
Speaking during the commissioning of the first EH4000 dump truck, Mr Mukutuma said that the truck was a diesel electric truck with a payload capacity of 220 metric tonnes.
Mr Mukutuma announced that four more dump trucks were already being assembled on site and were part of the 41 trucks FQM was buying to ramp up production at the Kansanshi mine.
“FQM is taking steps to improve the environmental performance of the project by using diesel-electric mining equipment. This is considered a priority for us from both an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and a productivity point of view.”
The company is also optimistic about the economic benefits that the S3 expansion is expected to bring to Zambia. The project will create jobs, generate tax revenue, and boost the local economy. I am confident that the project is a success for all stakeholders,” Mr Mukutuma said.
Mr Mukutuma said the mine would commission and deploy 2 to 3 giant dump trucks per month for the next 12 months, marking a significant milestone in the S3 expansion project. He also said that construction of the process plant is underway and that all necessary equipment has been purchased.
“As a company, we are pleased with this investment, as it will help us achieve our goal of increasing copper production to between 140,000 and 180,000 metric tonnes per year from 2025,” he continued.”
Mr Mukutuma said FQM was anticipating that at its height, the project would generate employment for almost 2,000 engineers and trades people and that the number would decline as construction was be getting towards completion and operationalization by early 2025.
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