MWEMBESHI Resources Limited says it intends to massively invest in Kangaluwi Mine in Lower Zambezi for the benefit of Zambians, and will further ensure the protection of wildlife and the environment.

And the company says contrary to the impression being given by those opposed to the mine venture that the mine is owned by foreigners, one of the major shareholders is Zambian businessman Stephen Mulenga Mikalile.

Meanwhile, Mwembeshi Resources Limited says it has intentions of offering some of its shares through the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) at an appropriate time to ensure that more ordinary Zambians are involved in the mine.

In a statement, Friday, Mwembeshi Resources Limited Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager Oliver Shalala stated that the mine security personnel would be trained in anti-poaching techniques to ensure that the national park security was enhanced.

“Mwembeshi Resources Limited intends to support the work of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) through supporting the employment of game scouts and acquisition of appropriate vehicles. It is our considered view that strengthening the patrol programme through a well-defined partnership will greatly help in reducing poaching in the National Park and in the Game Management Area (GMA). As part of our security policy, working in partnership with DNPW, our mine security personnel will be trained in anti-poaching techniques to ensure that the National Park security is enhanced. The added security will also reduce illegal mining by various entities that legally and illegally access the Lower Zambezi National Park,” he stated.

Shalala stated that the business model, design and operations of the mine were all tailored to favour Zambian interests as well as to ensure environmental protection.

He stated that the Zambian shareholders of Mwembeshi Resources were working in partnerships with some foreign shareholders, which he said was normal in a global world.

“Mwembeshi Resources Limited intends to invest massively in the Kangaluwi Mine in Lower Zambezi for the benefit of Zambians. The impression being given by those opposed to the mine venture is that the mine is owned by foreigners and the whole venture is meant to see capital flight. However, some of the major shareholders in mine are Zambians. In fact, the business model, mine design and operations of the mine are all tailored to favour Zambian interests as well as to ensure environmental protection and entrenching sustainability in our operations. Mwembeshi Resources Limited Managing Director, and one of the major shareholders, Stephen Mulenga Mikalile, is not a front for foreign interests,” Shalala stated.

“Mr Mikalile has been running successful businesses in Zambia and abroad and his investments have built enough capacity for him to run portfolios such as mines. Inevitably, the Zambian shareholders of Mwembeshi Resources are working in partnerships with some foreign shareholders. This is normal in a global world and, more so, in an industry like mining, which is usually an international undertaking. Partnering with foreign businesses is strategic. It ensures that the right technology and skills are brought to Kangaluwi Mine. These will in turn ensure that the mining is efficient, effective, adheres to all guidelines given by ZEMA, and ultimately supports and protects the wildlife and the environment.”

Shalala assured that the company would create employment, empower local contractors and uphold its corporate social responsibility.

“To ensure that more ordinary Zambians are involved in the mine, Mwembeshi Resources Limited has intentions of offering some of its shares through the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) at an appropriate time. Mwembeshi Resources Limited intends to demonstrate empowerment of Zambians in employment and contracting. The mine intends to segment employment and service contracting areas to ensure that certain lines of work and service provision are a preserve of Zambians. This will contribute to growing Zambian businesses,” stated Shalala.

“In a cascaded fashion, the Zambian allocation shall be broken down with some components for employment and service provision being ring-fenced for local people from Rufunsa and Luangwa Districts. Additionally, the Company will have a responsive, inclusive and tailor-made Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, that will ensure that benefits from the mine accrue to local communities as well as to needy sub-populations within Zambia. The programming of the robust CSR will be led by the various local community stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, civic leaders, religious groups and local civil society organisations.”