The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings, the country’s forerunner to Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) has Dr. Pius Chilufya Kasolo as the new Chief Executive Officer of ZCCM-IH, effective 1 October this year, taking over from Mukela Muyunda.

The appointment of Kasolo by the ZCCM IH board, a PhD holder in Economic Geology from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom as well as an MSc in Mineral Evaluation from Nancy Ecole de mine, France comes into effect from 1 October this year, the company says in a statement posted on its website.
Kasolo also holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Zambia. He holds various other business and technical qualifications. Kasolo has over 20 years experience in the mining sector as a consultant and at senior management level, during which he has worked in, and provided consultancy services to, organisations with major international mining interests.

He has undertaken various high level research studies, consultancy assignments and evaluations in the mining industry and other business sectors for the European Union, BHP, the University of Southampton and the Zambia Revenue Authority among others.

Kasolo has held various senior positions in the mining industry including that of Exploration Manager for JCI Limited of South Africa (then Part of the Anglo American Corporation) covering various countries namely Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ghana, Mali and Gabon.

Kasolo has served as Director on several companies in Africa including Firestone an Australian Listed company, according to a statement by Cosmas Mwananshiku, the ZCCM IH NON-Executive Director.

Before Kasolo’s appointment, the incumbent was the owner and Chairman of Zambezi Holdings, a diversified Investment company and Chief Executive Officer for Zambezi Mining Services (a concrete lining products firm based in South Africa).

The Board takes this opportunity to congratulate and welcome Dr. Kasolo and is confident that he will contribute greatly towards the achievement of ZCCM-IH’s vision to become Zambia’s leading investment company.

Dr. Kasolo takes over from Mukela Muyunda who was ZCCM-IH’s CEO until 7 August 2014. The Board commended Kasolo’s predecessor, Muyunda for his valuable contribution to the Company during his tenure of office and wished him success in his future endeavors.

Business Week reported that Kasolo had before his appointment by ZCCM IH served as senior exploration geologist for SAMAX Resources Ltd. He is also a geologist and consults to a professional group on project evaluation and labour planning, it adds on its website.

Kasolo has extensive experience in the evaluation and management of mining projects, the formulation of company strategy, resource optimisation and business process analysis.

He worked in London as a consultant geologist for BHP Minerals International Exploration Inc.

He served as senior exploration geological consultant to the European Union (EEC). He has worked for JCI in South Africa and West Africa, as well as for Anglo American as consultant geologist. He serves a Director of Mmakau Mining (pty) Ltd.

Kasolo served as a Non-Executive Director at Firestone Energy Ltd. since January 28, 2011. He has also published various papers on geology.

Source: Zambia Informer