US$60 million Zambia Manganese Corporation Smelter advances

Construction of a US$60 million Zambia Manganese Corporation Smelter at Pansulo in Serenje has reached an advanced stage.

Zambia Manganese Corporation Smelter, General Manager Leon Erasmus told the Environmental Impact Assessment meeting held at Mupando Secondary School yesterday, that the manganese smelter will create about 146 jobs to benefit the local community.

Mr. Leon said once the factory starts its full operations, it will uplift the local community with some community development programs which will consequently help contribute to improved service delivery in health, education, and agriculture among other sectors.

He noted that the country has 15 million tonnes of high quality manganese on global demand in places like Luapula, Muchinga and Central provinces which can be utilized by serious investor.

And speaking at the same function, Chief Kabamba of the Swaka people of Serenje District thanked Mr. Leon and his company for coming up with such a program in the area adding that it will help create employment for the local people in the area.

Chief Kabamba said the project is testimony of the confidence investors have in the country’s economy which can largely be attributed to the good investment climate that Government has created.

He added that the Patriotic Front government is elated with projects of this kind because they are in line with the mandate of creating employment and reducing poverty in Zambia and this in turn will translate into more money into people’s pockets.

The traditional leader urged his subjects to distance themselves from theft and vandalism for the project to be a success story.