By Evans Zyuulu

17 December 25 – Mumbwa. A high‑level delegation of government officials led by Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet for Finance and Economic Development Dr. Siazongo Siakalenge, has expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded at Sinomine Kitumba Minerals, following an extensive tour of the company’s integrated copper mining and processing project.

The delegation was on a fact-finding mission following President Hakainde Hichilema’s official launch of the project in August 2025, marking a major milestone in Zambia’s push toward increased copper production and renewable‑energy‑driven mining operations.

After touring the facilities, Dr. Siakalenge commended the company for maintaining momentum and adhering to its development commitments while helping government realize some of its promises to Zambians.

Part of the delegation at the concret batch mixing plant

“You will all recall that in 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema during his campaign trail, assured Zambians that he was going to create jobs, so jobs have been created. That he was going to attract investments, investments have been made, to a tune of US$690 million.” Dr. Siakalenge said.

Following a revelation by Sinomine Kitumba Minerals Chief Executive Officer Frank Wang that half of the pledged investment sum has already been spent and that the 50-Mega-Watt photovoltaic plant under phase one will be connected to the national grid and supply clean energy to the country, Dr Siakalenge expressed satisfaction and pledged government’s continued support.

“He has promised the nation that by January next year probably, the off-taker would have completed the work to connect this project into the national grid. Sir, we’re extremely happy with you, continued your good works and government is supporting your wonderful efforts. Initially, we thought it was just a story, and we’ve come here to see and it’s real.” Dr Siakalenge added.

Dr Siakalenge

And Mr Wang noted that about 3,000 people have been employed so far at the US$690 million mining project.

“For the mining, the entire cost is going to be US$690 million and this year, we’ve spent half of that already, next year we’ll be spending the rest of the budget as well to make sure that we’ve the entire industry chain put up on the mine site.” He said adding that, “Construction of processing plant will finish by the end of next June and will start production by July. We’ll start by producing copper concentrate. By end of next year, we target to complete our refinery and will start producing copper cathode by end of next year.”

He added that the company is already preparing to scale up its renewable energy footprint by constructing another 50-mega-watt solar plant under Phase two, a move that will strengthen Sinomine Kitumba’s energy security and support the mine’s long‑term sustainability.

From left: SKM HOD Processing Plant Zhiqiang Yan, Mine Manager Dr Jenning Zhong, Mumbwa DC Namukulo Hayumbu, Permanent Secretary (SD) Cabinet Office Naomi Tetamashimba, SKM CEO Frank Wang, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet Dr. Siagongo Siakalenge, PS Alfred Sakwiya (MDD) Cabinet Office & SKM deputy mine manager (PR & Admin) Mwiinga Chifwapa)

The delegation, which included senior government officers and members of the media, inspected several key construction sites—among them the smelter, processing plant, residential housing units, the open pit and phase one of the 50 Mega-Watt photovoltaic power plant, a flagship component of the project’s clean‑energy strategy.

Among the officials were Permanent Secretary – Management Development Division at Cabinet Office Alfred Sakwiya and his Special Duties counterpart Naomi Tetamashimba, Public Private Dialogue Forum Director General Andrew Chipwende, Directors– Special Duties at Cabinet Office Dingiswayo Banda and Chibwe Chisala and Mumbwa District Commissioner Namukulo Hayumbu among others.

SKM CEO Frank Wang briefing the delegation before the tour

A Strategic Asset in Zambia’s Economic Transformation and Social Development

The Sinomine Kitumba project is poised to become a major contributor to Zambia’s mining sector, integrating renewable energy, modern processing technologies, and value‑addition infrastructure. With construction progressing steadily, the mine is positioning itself as a key driver of economic transformation and sustainable development.

With a projected 50,000-ton annual production of copper, the project will contribute to the Zambian government’s target of 3-million-ton annual production.

Though still under construction phase, the company has already employed about 3,000 workers and worked on a 52-kilometre stretch of the D181 Road from Mumbwa to its mine site in Kitumba. Sinomine Kitumba Minerals has also constructed a community trading market shelter to enhance commerce activities at the mine site under a conducive environment.

-ENDS-