TWO United Kingdom (UK) based mining firms joined hands establishing a tailings retreatment plant which will be processing mineral materials from tailings dams in Kitwe.
Copper Tree Minerals and Jubilee Metals Group will be processing materials from the tailing dam behind Kitwe High Court, Nkana East and another place West of Mopani Copper Mines in Kitwe.
The companies will also be involved in remediation of the land beneath the tailings dams to make them suitable for public and commercial use.
Speaking in an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Copper Tree Minerals spokesperson Charlie Chase-Gardener said the jubilee brings on board its in-house expertise which will significantly accelerate the project development cycle.
Several job opportunities are expected to be created by the two companies whose initial investment into the project is although he could not disclose the exact value of the project investment.
“Jubilee will also benefit from the detailed resource analyses and vast process test programmes previously performed by Copper Tree,” he said.
Mr Chase-Gardener said the partnership will create significant employment opportunities in both construction and operations phases.
He said Copper Tree has always employed Zambian companies and workers for drill campaigns, laboratory test work, transportation and logistics.
Mr Chase-Gardener said the two companies remain committed to working with Zambian companies and workers for its construction and operations.
“ Once the process of removing the tails from the dams is complete, about 314 hectares of land will be freed for use, “ he disclosed.
Mr Chase-Gardener said Copper Tree and Jubilee will work closely with the Zambian Government to ensure an appropriate regeneration plan is implemented in the future.
