Modern Mining May 2019

MINING News

The Munali processing plant, which incorporates Dense Media Separation (DMS) technology and differential flotation (photo: CNM).

Refurbished Zambian nickel mine restarts operations

revising the metallurgical process with the introduction of Dense Media Separation (DMS) technology and differential flotation. Munali comprises an undergroundmin- ing operation extracting nickel sulphide ore, DMS technology and a standard flo- tation circuit to produce a 10-12 % nickel concentrate. The mine expects to ramp up production to steady-state levels of 60 000 t/a by Q4-2019. The mine is man- aged by an all-Zambian management team and currently has a workforce of 380 people, of whom 10 % are women. It is reported to be the first mine in Africa to use Epiroc’s Minetruck MT54 high-capacity underground truck, with a load capacity of 54 tonnes. These trucks are designed for fast, productive haulage in substantial mining and construction operations where navigation through nar- rower tunnels is required. “It is with great pride that we celebrate the official opening of Zambia’s newest nickel mine, the Munali nickel mine. Today marks a new beginning for the mine with a bright future ahead, backed by an experi- enced investor, Consolidated Nickel Mines,” said Matthew Banda, General Manager of Munali and Mabiza Resources, at the opening. “We are committed to being a responsible miner and ensuring the socio- economic benefits created by the mine are

Mabiza Resources and its major investor, Consolidated Nickel Mines Ltd (CNM), have announced the resumption of mining oper- ations at the Munali nickel mine, located in southern Zambia. CNN is a privately-owned mining and development company that invests in African base metals projects. The refurbished mine was offi- cially opened on 16 April by Edgar Lungu, President of Zambia, at a cer- emony attended by key dignitaries from

Government, including the Minister of Mines, Richard Musukwa, and the Minister of Health, Dr Chitalu Chilufya. Since CNM became the new operator of Munali in 2014, the experienced team has invested over U$50 million to restart the mine. CNM has undertaken a com- plete reassessment of the project. All key technical aspects have been reviewed and re-engineered, from re-interpreting the ore- body and changing the mining method to

An Epiroc Boomer 282 face drilling rig in operation at Munali (photo: CNM).

4  MODERN MINING  May 2019