Explosives firm, Orica, will double its production capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes per year once its US$2mn plant in Chambishi on the Zambian Copperbelt is completed
According to information obtained from the company, Orica embarked on the plant expansion following an increase in mining activities in the country that has resulted in growing demand for explosive products. The project commenced in June 2011 and is expected to be commissioned as soon as the remaining plant machinery procured from South Africa arrives in the country. Giving an update on the project, Company Director, Anthony Mwila, said that at least 90 per cent of the construction work has since been completed.
Fabrication of construction equipment was being done in South Africa with arrangements being put in place to ship the equipment to Zambia to facilitate completion of the project. The project has already created 50 jobs for local people and the Orica’s management is optimistic that more employment opportunities will be created, upon completion.
Nawa Mutumweno
