TRYNESS TEMBO, Lusaka
UNIVERSAL Mining and Chemical Industries Limited (UMCIL)’s US$200 million Sanje Hill Iron Ore Mine in Nampundwe is expected to start full production early next year.
The mine is expected to create about 200 jobs, and its lifespan is between four to five years.
UMCIL/Trade Kings civil engineer Ernest Mande said currently, the company is installing equipment at the mine in readiness to start operations next year.
“We are about to start the full operation at Sanje Hill Iron Ore Mine and just now we are finalising the installing of various equipment, because we want to open next year with a bang. I am sure that we will start full production early next year,” Mr Mande said in an interview last week.
He said the direct reduction iron (DRI) plant at the mine was already launched by President Lungu and it will be supplied with iron ore from iron ore mine.
Mr Mande said once fully operational, the mine will supplement the supply of raw materials as the company has almost exhausted all the scrap metal in the country.
On the plans to construct aRailway line between Mumbwa-Kafue, he said last month, President Lungu directed the Ministry of Transport and Communication to facilitate the construction of the line to help UMCIL easily transport high grade iron ore from Nambala-Sonkwe in Mumbwa to Kafue Steel Plant.
Mr Mande said the firm is waiting for the appointment of the minister of Transport and Communication because the time President Lungu was making the directive, there was no minister.
He said once the minister is appointed, the project will start moving forward.