THE GOVERNMNT is seeking investors to revamp the Ndola Copper Refinery that has remained obsolete for more than 20 years.
The Ndola Copper Refinery, which was operational before the privatisation of the mining assets in the early 1990s, used to process slimes from the mines to extract precious metals such as silver and gold.
Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said in an interview that Government had no intention of reopening the refinery but was seeking investors that will revamp it.

CHANDA

Mr Chanda said Government had no capacity of reopening the refinery because it did not own any mine in the country.
“The refinery is currently in a disused state, we are calling on willing investors both local and foreign to revamp it and start processing slime,” he said.
Mr Chanda said that Ndola Copper Refinery was sold together with the Luanshya Copper Mines to the Binani Group who stripped it of all vital components leaving it in an obsolete condition.
He said that when the current investor, the China Non-Ferrous Metal Company, bought the Luanshya mine, the refinery was not included.
Mr Chanda said that Grant Thornton who was then the receiver handed it back to the administrator-general.
Some local jewellers earlier called on Government to consider reopening the refinery, as its closure had adversely affected the sourcing of raw materials such as gold and silver.
The jewellers said that they were unable to get slime from mining companies that were processing it because they preferred exporting it.