A delegation led by Vice President of Zambia Guy Scott discussed various areas including exchange of technology, human resource, investment opportunities, environment-friendly technology, community service and business excellence, with Vedanta Group.

The delegation visited Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc facility in Rajasthan. During his interaction with the senior management of Hindustan Zinc, Scott stressed on the need for sending an expert team to India for understanding the various Indian operations and compare with Zambian Operations.

Scoot is also accompanied by Emmanuel Chenda, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Christopher Yaluma, Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication and Richard Musukwa, Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy & Water Development, among others.

In Zambia, Vedanta Resources has copper operations through Konkola Copper Mine (KCM). The company operates two mines at Nchanga, comprising an underground mine and four open pits.

KCM in Zambia is targeting production of 400,000 tonnes per annum of copper. Currently, the capacity is 200,000 tonnes per annum. Vedanta Resources, which holds about 79.4 per cent shares in the company, has spent close to $ 2.5 billion towards expansions at KCM.

Also, the delegation will visit Rampura Agucha zinc mine in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. This has ore production capacity of 6.15 million tonne annually.

When asked by the Zambian delegation about the Public-Private-Partnership Model towards community service, Akhilesh Joshi – CEO, HZL, informed that almost all the community service programs are being run in association with Union and State Government, and with mutual cooperation and understanding, for achieving desired impact. He also informed that Hindustan Zinc is reaching out to 500,000 rural and tribal people in 350 villages of Rajasthan.

siddhartha.s@thehindu.co.in

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