President Hakainde Hichilema, has commissioned the Sino ZAM Vocational College of Science and Technology in Luanshya District on the Copperbelt Province which was built at a cost of over Hundred Million United States Dollars.
And President Hichilema also attended the Forum on Technology Empowering Development of the Mining Industry (TEDMI) which was held at the same facility where China Nonferrous Mining Group announced the 23 Billion United States Dollars investment into Zambia’s mining and smelting industries.
Speaking after commissioning the college President Hichilema thanked Luanshya Copper Mines for constructing the state of the arts facility and also for investing the 23 Billion United States Dollars into the mining industry.
President Hichilema said the government is committed to ensuring that development is taken to all parts of the country adding that he will ensure that this is fulfilled.
He noted that the government will continue taking advantage of any chance that comes to develop the country which he said was in a bad state following the high debt it had incurred.
President Hichilema noted that the mines in the country were damaged which resulted in the shrinking of the sector and that the government had and is still doing everything possible to bring the mining sector back to life.
“ I really get surprised at how people easily forget where we are coming from. Two years and some months ago we found this country in a very bad state. And as a government we are trying to put things in place and am assuring you that this will be done”, President Hichilema noted.
The Head of State also explained that the dewatering project by Luanshya Copper Mines at shaft 28 will help improve the generation of electricity which the country is currently grappling with.
President Hichilema noted that the water will help reduce load shedding and improve the generation of power when it will be channeled to Lake Kariba and Kafue among others.
“I want to thank the Chinese government again for this development. We value this partnership and we do not take it lightly”, President Hichilema noted.
President Hichilema has since urged Zambians not to resist partnership adding that it is through such collaboration that will bring development to the country.
“Please let’s have the spirit of hard work and embrace partnerships. Look at how this has brought development to our country”, he noted.
He has since urged Ministers to market their provinces and attract Chinese investments that will help in developing the country.
And Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe noted that the two developments signifies the resuscitation of the mining industry which was also most going down.
Mr Kabwe who thanked the Luanshya Copper Mines for the development said the government will ensure that all the developments are taken care off so that the intended purpose can be achieved.
“As a Minister in charge of the mining industry in the country, I am really emotional right now. I can only say thank you to your leadership that has made such developments to come”, He noted.
Mr Kabuswe added that such developments have come to Zambia due to the hard work and commitment that the President Hakainde Hichilema has exhibited adding that people should learn from such.
And Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo, said the newly commissioned school will improve the mining sector in the country.
Mr Matambo said the mining industry has been shrinking but that ever since President Hakainde Hichilema was put into office, the industry has improved.
He said the government is slowly addressing all the challenges faced in the mining sector adding that this will take the country to another level.
Mr Matambo noted that the government has not just improved the mining sector but also the other sectors such as Health and Education among others.
“Sir as the Minister in charge of this province, I want to thank you for bringing such development here. You have not just improved the mining sector but also other sectors”, he said.
And Charge De Affairs at the Chinese Embassy Wang Sheng says China has committed to invest 23 Billion United States Dollars into Zambia’s mining and smelting industries.
Mr Wang said Zambia and China have continued to enjoy good bilateral relations hence the need to invest in the mining sector that has potential to drive the economy.
He said the commissioning of the Sino ZAM Vocational College of Science and Technology and hosting of the Forum on Technology Empowering Development of the Mining Industry (TEDMI) signifies China’s commitment to developing Zambia’s mining sector.
Mr Wang stated that science and technology skills will be applied so that the mining sector in the country can thrive.
“We are committing this amount so that the mining industry in the country can thrive. We have a good relationship with Zambia and we shall continue investing”, he noted.
The forum which has been organized by Luanshya Copper Mines has attracted over 400 delegates and is being held under the theme: “Deepening cooperation in the mining industry, exploring new opportunities in the mining development, improving mineral resources development and utilization levels, and achieving mutual beneficial cooperation.
