FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
JANUARY 3, 2022
MAAMBA COLLIERIES MARKS 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH A HOST OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
New Dawn Government assures the country’s largest coal mine and Independent Power Producer of its support.
SINAZONGWE, ZAMBIA – Maamba Collieries Limited, the Sinazongwe-based company was incorporated in 1971 under Government ownership following the dissolution of the National Coal Board of Zambia. Since then, Maamba Collieries Limited, the largest coal mine of Zambia has met all the coal requirements of the country.
Consequent to privatisation in 2010, the mining giant has evolved to operate a 300 MW mine-mouth coal-fired thermal power plant to complement its mining activities, enabling it to take a leading role in Zambia’s energy diversification drive.
Its state-of-the-art power plant produces more electricity than all other Independent Power Producers (IPPs) combined and has been pivotal in reducing loadshedding hours since 2016, even as climate change and poor rainfall patterns continue to impact generation by the hydro power stations.
Speaking during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Maamba in mid-December, Maamba Collieries Ltd Chief Operations Officer David V. Kumar said that the company was proud of the fact that its power plant is not only providing electricity to homes in different parts of the country but also supporting local industries with much needed energy through its coal reserves and electricity.
“We are proud that from this small town in the corner of the country, we can power houses in Lusaka and other towns as well as power industries across the country,” he said.
“We are proud to have been in existence for 50 years providing employment to generations of Zambians. We currently employ over 1,500 people, most of whom are Zambian.”
“MCL has also played a key role in the socio-economic development of Maamba town and Sinazongwe district at large. Our many Corporate Social initiatives have come by way of supporting local health facilities, schools, sporting institutions, youth and women skills development projects, environmental protection initiatives, and infrastructure development among others.”
Mr Kumar during his address, reiterated “MCL remains committed to partnering with the New Dawn Government to develop Sinazongwe.”
He further noted that the power plant project was planned to produce 600 MW of electricity, but financial constraints had kept it from reaching its full potential. He requested the government to increase its support to the company and facilitate its expansion plan – which would help progress the strides Zambia has made towards energy diversification.
In a speech at the event, read on his behalf by Sinazongwe District Commissioner Nchimunya Sialoke, Southern Province Minister Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa MP assured Maamba Collieries Ltd of support of the government to ensure smooth operations.
“Government will do everything possible to ensure investors like Maamba Collieries Ltd are given the required support for them to conduct business that is sustainable and profitable. I would like to assure you that you have my personal and the government’s support to ensure the smooth running of MCL,” he said.
The minister added that he was impressed with the company’s unwavering investment in community development projects despite its financial problems.
“We are extremely excited to witness the numerous development projects in the district being spearheaded by MCL. Your work and support to the community has been consistent despite the financial challenges your firm has been facing since commissioning. As the New Dawn Government through His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema, we wish to implore other corporate entities to emulate Maamba Collieries in giving back to their respective communities in whatever little way possible. Once again thank you to MCL for everything that you are doing in the community.”
As part of the commemoration celebrations of its 50th anniversary, Maamba Collieries Ltd donated various items to several schools across the district. These included 2,900 books, 15 desk top computers, three over-head projectors, 25 ceiling fans, 700 school bags as well as 85 footballs and netballs.
Other activities during the month-long celebrations included commissioning of four boreholes in villages around Sinazongwe, de-silting of Mweela Dam, refurbishing the Maamba Police Station, construction of a shelter at Maamba bus stop, sponsoring sporting events such as inter-provincial Golf and football tournaments as well as inter-school essay and painting competitions.
The mining firm also hosted a career guidance day for young people and planted hundreds of trees across the district, as part of its Green Maamba environmental restoration and protection campaign.
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About Maamba Collieries Ltd
Maamba Collieries Limited (MCL), in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province, is Zambia’s largest coal mine and the nation’s biggest Independent Power Producer (IPP) with Zambia’s only coal-fired Thermal Power Plant (TPP).
The company operates a 300 MW (2 X 150 MW units) modern, eco-friendly coal-fired power plant – the only one of its kind in Zambia – with the capacity to supply 10 percent of the country’s current installed electricity generation capacity.
MCL is owned 65 percent by Nava Bharat Singapore Pte and 35 percent by ZCCM-IH, with some US$919 million invested since 2010.
The plant provides diversity in the nation’s energy mix and contributes to the nation’s base load electricity demand with high-availability power that is independent of climate change, thereby augmenting energy security of Zambia.
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