Management at Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) has said that production has increased since Government took over ownership of the mine 12 months ago.

MCM General Manager – Technical Services, Jacob Banda says the company is improving and production is showing signs of increasing from the time Zambians took over the mine.

Mr Banda said this when ZCCM-Investments Holdings (ZCCM-IH) board and management toured MCM in Mufulira last week.

Before change of ownership, production of copper cathodes was at 3,500 tonnes per day but had now increased to 9,000 tonnes.

You can see from there that production is increasing and the company is progressing. We as Zambians can do it

We are assuring the board that we will not let them down bur we will work hard and take Mopani to greater heights,” Mr Banda said.

The Mining firm would work hard to raise copper production and contribute to the country’s target of 3 million tonnes per annum.

Mr Banda said MCM has spent US$14.2million from its internal resources to sustain operations and production at the mine this year. He said Mopani was targeting to produce 90,000 tonnes of copper cathodes per annum.

And ZCCM-IH board member John Mambo was impressed with operations and management of the mine by Zambians.

Bishop Mambo said Mopani should be a model to the world indicating that Zambians had the capacity to manage their own mines. He urged management to work extra hard to ensure it contributed to increased copper production target of 3 million tonnes.

Bishop Mambo also commended the company for effecting good safety measures that had led to the reduction of mine accidents.

Source: Times of Zambia