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ZEMA Approves US$450m New Acid Plant
THE Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has approved the construction of the US$450 million second acid plant by Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Plc in Mufulira as part of the current smelter upgrade project.
The smelter upgrade project is aimed at enhancing the smelting capacity and the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions by over 95 per cent.
The acid plant has a design production capacity of over 850,000 tonnes per annum which is twice the capacity of the first acid plant which was installed in 2007 and currently captured and converted about 50 per cent of sulphur dioxide emissions.
The upgrade is scheduled to be completed by December 2013.
MCM chief executive officer Danny Callow said in a statement that the approval of the project is a huge milestone because the acid plant was one of the key components in elimination of sulphur dioxide.
“The plant will capture and convert sulphur dioxide into sulphuric acid, leaving the environment clean and sustainable,” Mr Callow said.
He said MCM was determined to address the issue of sulphur dioxide emissions forever with the support government gave the mining firm.
He said following this approval, MCM had started major groundwork to prepare the site such as detailed designs, tenders and orders for long lead items had already been placed.
And Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) campaign officer Edward Lange said his organisation was happy that the government had approved the second acid plant.
Mr Lange was, however, concerned with the delay in approving the project but expressed delight that government had finally responded positively.
“The acid plant is a key component in the smelter upgrade being undertaken by Mopani and we were saddened that ZEMA delayed to approve this project. We are however happy now that the project will finally take off,” Mr Lange said.
Mr Lange said this during a conducted tour of the smelter upgrade project organised for Journalists from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region who were attending a training programme on reporting Extractive Industries in the region.
Posted by
Nicola.
October 25, 2012 at 11:18 am
PF at work.good move and keep it up, we need more jobs.
mvulana
October 26, 2012 at 7:37 am
good move…
it would help if it were a requirement by law for all the mining set ups had that installed…
further to that…it would be of great help if firms were required by law to enhance some physical development in any designate area of government choice…
in that way…even as they degrade the land they develop the country aswell.
but smart move none the less…
NDIYO ZO PULAMA
October 26, 2012 at 9:49 am
wow nice develpmental move..congrats guys..May God bless you!
Air Mukwai_
October 27, 2012 at 5:22 pm
This is like digging a pit while filling the other. Removing Sulphur dioxide from the atmosphere will then increase the toxicity level of rivers with sulphuric acid that will disturb aqua pH and kill animals. By the way, they have not even mentioned where they will be using that acid. Of course it will be dripping into mufulira river near butondo, down to kafue river. let the ECZ do proper EIA.
ൠº°˜¨мυƒυℓίяα ¨˜°ºൠ
October 31, 2012 at 6:13 am
after watching “Good Copper bad Copper” free documentary on youtube, i cannot understand why they want to bring more toxic pollution to the poor people of мυƒυℓίгα.
The place is a hellhole as the narrator discribed area.. one can actually see and smell the toxic chemicals that fills the air.
People there drink poisoned contaminated water which leads to many deaths.
Its a an eye opening documentary every Zambian especially people in the mining areas should watch for them to understand the situation.
Too bad the most viewrs are foreigners from developed countries. the poor miners cannot afford a decent meal everyday let alone a computer with internet connection…………..
Pembelantushe
November 5, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Any correction mesures for the already emmited sulfur dioxide,thats what i want to hear before future remedial measures.
Kabova
November 9, 2012 at 8:59 am
Air Mukwai. If you do not understand the mining process ask. We import acid from different countries. Malawi is willing to import acid from us. First you capture So2 and you convert it H2so4. where is the pollution you tralking about. Think before you blog.