By JOHN MUBAMBE –
FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) Limited has invested over US$6.1 billion in the mines in Zambia over the past 20 years, creating over 14,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, FQM has paid more than US$3.2 billion in taxes during the 20 years of its operations in Zambia.
Kansanshi Mining Plc manager for public relations Godfrey Msiska said the mining company had invested more than $6.1 billion in the mines it had built in the country which had in turn created over 14,000 jobs.
Mr Msiska said the jobs created included full-time, part-time, and apprenticeship positions and placements.
“We have clocked 20 years of operations in Zambia with a high performance record, and so far we have invested over US$6.1 billion in the mines we have built in Zambia and these mines have created massive employment for Zambians.
“The investment is now turning mineral wealth into national wealth and adding value to Zambia’s economy,” Mr Msiska said.
He explained that FQM had 8,573 direct employees and contractors engaged at Kansanshi Mine with 4,800 employees working for Kalumbila Mine.
Mr Msiska noted that FQM had spent more than $3.1 billion on the construction and regular upgrade of Kansanshi Mine following its agenda of solidifying its mining investments in Zambia.
“First Quantum has pumped over US$3.1 billion into building of the infrastructure at Kansanshi Mine, which is the FQM Group’s flagship and another US$2.1 billion has gone to develop Kalumbila Mine, a greenfield project, with investment in the smelter at Kansanshi gobbling up a further US$850 million,” he said.
Mr Msiska further said the mining company had provided members of the local community with skills in education, conservation farming, business entrepreneurship, community banking and other skills drawn from corporate social responsibility projects.
Mr Msiska said, with a strategic plan to enhance mineral production and value addition for job creation, the company was poised to become the largest, widely-held pure-play copper producer and one of the top five copper producers in the world.