Zambian mine shut for safety violations

LUSAKA – Zambia has shut down its first manganese mine because the Chinese-owned facility failed to meet safety and pollution standards, an environmental authority said yesterday.

Chiman Manufacturing Ltd would not be allowed to reopen until its safety record improved and emissions from the mine and smelter were brought under control, said Justin Mokosa, spokesman of the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ). He said the company was served notice on Friday.Mine officials had said it would start processing 16 000 tonnes of manganese this month and peak annual production would reach 50 000 tonnes in subsequent years.Chiman Manufacturing’s deputy general manager Li Ke Kun confirmed the closure but did not elaborate.Mukosa said the Chinese firm was subjecting its employees to working without safety clothing and shoes and had ignored previous warnings to improve safety and pollution control.Several Chinese firms previously have come under attack from trade unions and civic groups for failing to adhere to safety measures and pollution control in this mineral-rich southern African country of 11,5 million people.Li told Reuters the company had planned to start exports this month to Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa and some output would be used by local industry.Chiman Manufacturing’s mine is the first manganese mine to be opened in mineral-rich Zambia after investors pumped US$10 million into its mining operations and a smelter.Manganese is used mainly in the steel industry.Nampa-ReutersHe said the company was served notice on Friday.Mine officials had said it would start processing 16 000 tonnes of manganese this month and peak annual production would reach 50 000 tonnes in subsequent years.Chiman Manufacturing’s deputy general manager Li Ke Kun confirmed the closure but did not elaborate.Mukosa said the Chinese firm was subjecting its employees to working without safety clothing and shoes and had ignored previous warnings to improve safety and pollution control.Several Chinese firms previously have come under attack from trade unions and civic groups for failing to adhere to safety measures and pollution control in this mineral-rich southern African country of 11,5 million people.Li told Reuters the company had planned to start exports this month to Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa and some output would be used by local industry.Chiman Manufacturing’s mine is the first manganese mine to be opened in mineral-rich Zambia after investors pumped US$10 million into its mining operations and a smelter.Manganese is used mainly in the steel industry.Nampa-Reuters