CHOMBA MUSIKA
Lusaka
BARRICK Gold Corporation, which operates Lumwana mine in North-Western Province, says it is transforming neighbouring Kalumbila into a mining-powered economic hub that will endure beyond the life of the mine.
Barrick president and chief executive officer Mark Bristow said plans include new employee housing in the Manyama town, an industrial supplier park, and an airport that is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
He said the master plan, developed in collaboration with local authorities, aligns with Zambia’s integrated development strategy.
“We are transforming the surrounding Kalumbila District into a mining-powered economic hub that will endure beyond Lumwana’s expanded life of mine,” Mr Bristow said.
Barrick, which says it has contributed over US$3.7 billion since 2019, has pledged its support for Zambia’s economic growth.
In 2024, Lumwana’s operations contributed US$887 million to the economy through royalties, taxes, salaries and procurement of goods and services.
Barrick says it is actively supporting Zambia’s ambition to increase copper output to three million tons through its Lumwana expansion and securing further exploration licences in Northern Province.
“Additionally, the company is supporting Zambia’s power challenges in collaboration with Zesco,” the firm said on its website Monday.
“Since September 2024, Lumwana’s co-generation initiatives have reduced its reliance on the grid, helping to alleviate the supply-demand gap.
“A joint working group, led by Barrick, is now focused on upgrading the North-Western power corridor, benefiting mines, local communities, and domestic consumers alike.”
The mine said its vision for Lumwana extends beyond mining, ensuring the benefits of its investments endure into the future.
Barrick said Lumwana remains a leader in advancing local content, with 72 percent of the US$906 million spent on goods and services last year going to Zambian suppliers and contractors.
“This brings the total spent on local goods and services to US$2.5 billion since 2019,” it said. “The company’s Business Accelerator Programme is further building capacity, targeting 150 SMEs to support the upcoming superpit expansion.
“The Lumwana expansion will double its current copper production to a life-of-mine average of 240kt a year with an additional 2,500 construction workers to be employed over the construction period through to 2028. In addition to this, the expansion is set to create a further 550 permanent jobs.”
The mine said to meet its demands, Lumwana is extending its Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) accredited training centre to equip local workers with critical skills.
Currently, 99 percent of Lumwana’s employees are Zambian nationals, which the firm believes is testament to Barrick’s focus on sustainable workforce development..https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
