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Anglo American"s Skorpion Zinc mine and refinery in Namibia officially opened
Anglo American plc"s ("Anglo American) wholly owned Skorpion zinc mine and
refinery near Rosh Pinah, southern Namibia was today officially opened by the
President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma. Also in attendance were the Hon Nicky
Iyambo, Minister of Mines and Energy, the Hon Andimba Toivo ya Tiovo, Minister
of Prisons and Correctional-Services (previously Minister of Labour and Mines
and Energy), senior representatives of the Department of Trade and Industry,
Ambassadors, representatives of Anglo American and the contractors and
technology suppliers associated with the development of the mine.
The US$454 million development of the Skorpion zinc mine was announced in 2000.
In May this year the mine produced first metal and the first consignment of zinc
was exported from the port of Luderitz in July. The mine will produce 150 000
tonnes per year of special high-grade zinc over a mine life of at least 15
years. It is expected to ramp up to full capacity by the end of 2004 and will be
one of the lowest cost zinc producers in the world.
The complex consists of an open pit mine and a hydrometallurgical refinery
together with the associated infrastructure of analytical laboratory, offices,
stores building and changehouses. A significant investment has been made in
housing and residential infrastructure in Rosh Pinah. Skorpion zinc mine has
adopted internationally recognised standards for environmental management and
has already achieved ISO 14000 certification for the mining operations.
Commenting on the official opening of Skorpion zinc mine, President Nujoma,
said, "The Government of the Republic of Namibia has always recognised the
importance for the entire Namibian population of foreign direct investment. It
is with great satisfaction that I bear witness to this development and
acknowledge the proud partnership role we have played in the establishment of
the mine and refinery."
President Nujoma continued, "The construction of a training plant on site at a
cost of 34-million Namibian dollars (US$4,3 million) is indicative of the
investment in human resource development that is being undertaken at the mine.
We welcome and encourage this and the opportunity provided to some twenty
students to date to study at various institutions of higher learning, especially
in the field of science and engineering."
Tony Trahar, CEO Anglo American plc, said, "Skorpion is the largest investment
in Namibia since independence. When it reaches full production it should
contribute some 4% to the Gross National Product of the country and will provide
valuable hard currency export earnings. We continue to invest heavily in
manpower training and development and believe that we have a young, enthusiastic
work force, eager to make Skorpion a truly world class operation."
Trahar added, "The impact of the project on the regional development of the
south of Namibia has been dramatic. Rosh Pinah is thriving and is attracting
investor interest from many sectors of the economy with new shops, banks and
other businesses opening up to take advantage of the wealth created by
Skorpion."
Skorpion has some 600 employees and currently provides a further 250 jobs to
contractors as well as numerous jobs in the service sector. Over 90% of
employees are Namibians and of those 14% are women - an unusually high
percentage for what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.
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