66kw power line to feed Mkushi Mine
By NANCY MWAPEMKUSHI Copper Joint Venture Limited (MCJVL) plans to construct a 72-kilometre 66 kilowatts transmission line from Lunsemfwa hydropower station to feed a new substation at its Mkushi Copper Mine site at a cost of US$6.8 million.
MCJVL is proposing to set up an open copper mine, build processing plants, workshops, offices, stores, accommodation and other ancillary facilities at the Old Mkushi Mine in Mkushi.
The total capital investment in the project will be about US$61 million.
This cost is mainly associated with the development of the open pit, tailings storage facility, waste rock dumps, workshops and buying the mining fleet.
The project will create about 300 jobs.
According to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Report submitted to the Environmental Council of Zambia , the transmission line will be constructed in collaboration with Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company on a 30-metre way-leave.
The line will traverse the Chikupili and Munkonchi chiefdoms crossing Lunsemfwa River, six streams, forests and several active agricultural fields.
The project, scheduled to start in the second quarter of this year, subject to approval of the EIS by the ECZ.
MCJVL adds that construction and commissioning of the power line is expected to take about 18 months.
The proposed transmission line will avoid crowded areas and several active fields.
MCJVL notes that the area affected by the project is still developing and is predominantly a rural setting.
“There are 42 households who live or have a field or shop within the way-leave. Total population is 182 people and their livelihood activities are crop and livestock production, trading and employment in district centres,” reads the EIS report.
The EIA also says there is limited electricity supply in the area.
It adds that electricity coverage is mainly confined to the Mkushi mine and Lunsemfwa hydropower station area.
MCJVL states that the use of solar energy is on the rise in the area.
The transmission line project will provide electricity power to MCJVL mine, a major new development expected to generate a large number of jobs and economic opportunities for people in Mkushi and Central Province in general.
MCJVL notes that the mine has an initial life span of eight years and after closure, the power line may be used in totality to supply local communities, business houses and other social infrastructure.
It adds that if the transmission line was erected as proposed, people living within the way-leave would be affected either by loss of structures or active crop fields.
“MCJVL, through LHPC, will forego those sections of the line where people are affected and incorporate in alternative routes to avoid displacement and loss of croplands,” reads the report.
MCJVL is owned by CGA Mining and African Eagle Resources.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
