Chinese set up manganese processing plants

By SILUMESI MALUMOGOVERNMENT has disclosed that two Chinese mining companies are setting up manganese processing plants in Central Province.Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Christopher Yaluma, said Wang Chen Mining Limited was setting up a manganese processing plant in Kapiri Mposhi.The minister said the mining company had pledged through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to establish the processing plant at a cost of US$20 million.Mr Yaluma said the project was at 80 percent completion stage and 200 jobs were expected to be created when completed.He said that this investment was cardinal in the country as the manganese which would be mined would be exported with value addition.A Chinese mining firm is setting up a multimillion manganese processing plant in Kapiri Mposhi which will be used to process the manganese mined in the area.Meanwhile Mr Yaluma said a Chinese metal company is also establishing a manganese processing plant in Serenje.The minister said the project being established at a cost of US$9 million was at 90 percent completion.“Over 400 jobs are expected to be created once the plant is completed,” Mr Yaluma said.