FQM to employ 2000 at its Kalumbila mine by 2015

FQM to employ 2000 at its Kalumbila mine by 2015

Ndola, July 3, 2013, ZANIS – FIRST Quantum Minerals Limited (FQM)  says it expects  to employ 2,000 people once it starts production at Kalumbila mine by the year 2015.

FQM Public Relations manager Godfrey Msiska  says a further 500 more are  expected to be employed with mining giant once the smelter is opened at Kansanshi mine in Solwezi by the year 2015.  

Mr. Msiska said once Kalumbila mine goes into production, by 2015, the Copper mine is expected to increase output arising from the expansions at Kansanshi mine.

ZANIS reports that the FQM Public Relations manager said this in an interview at the just ended Zambia International Trade Fair (ZITF)  whose theme was “Value Addition through Global Partnership” in Ndola.

“FQM is expected to ramp up its copper production to 700,000 mtpa by 2015 with the completion of Sentinel Mine and increased output arising from expansions at Kansanshi Mine” Mr. Msiska said.

He  said FQM is the largest Copper producer in Africa and it has boosted the Zambian enterprise by spending more than US$ 1 billion through the supply of contracts to Zambian companies in sourcing goods and services from local suppliers and constructors.

He said FQM was optimistic that the 500 job earmarked for downsizing at the under- construction Sentinel mine can be saved.  

He also revealed that FQM has acquired Inmet, a Canadian based mining company that produces Copper and Zinc.

Mr. Msiska highlighted that the mining company successfully completed the offer of 92.74 percent of Inmet shares tendered.

“As FQM we want to say that shareholders who tendered their shares between March 12 and April 1, 2013 and elected the cash alternative will receive $36.00 in cash and 1.6484 common shares,” he said.

He said Inmet has three wholly-owned mining operations in Cayeli (Turkey), Pyliasami (Finland) and Las Cruces (Spain).