Equinox Minerals has secured the long-term land title to some 35,000 ha (350 km2) of township and mine operating areas at its Large Scale Mining License located in the Northwestern province of Zambia where Equinox is currently commissioning the Lumwana copper mine and progressing its Lumwana uranium project through permitting. Land title, or ‘surface rights’, whilst not required to conduct mine development and production operations (which are covered by the Lumwana Large Scale Mining License), had been sought so as to provide the company with long-term flexibility and benefits. This grant will permit the company to manage and administer the Lumwana surface rights, in particular the planned sub-division to deliver employee home ownership and other commercial developments within the Lumwana Township.
The provision of such land title is a testament to the confidence both the traditional leaders and the national government have in the company in the way it manages its investments in Zambia, as well as its relationship with all stakeholders.
The company has also been pleased to announce that it’s Lusaka based Corporate Relations Manager Nathan Chishimba has been elected as the new President of the Zambian Chamber of Mines for 2008/2009. Chishimba replaces Passmore Hamukoma. The Chamber was first established in 1942 and is a well known voice of the Zambian mining industry. It functions to assist the industry and its initiatives to encourage, protect and foster mining through consultation with government. The Chamber serves to shape future policy in all relevant matters affecting investment and the continued development of a vibrant and successful mining industry.
Commenting, Harry Michael, Equinox COO said: “We are extremely proud to see Nathan elected as Chamber President. This is a strategically important position and is the interface between industry and both government and non-government institutions.”