Dangote to be issued with Zambian mining licence, Zambia

An advisory committee set up by the Zambian government is to meet within the next two weeks and issue a mining licence to Dangote Cement of Nigeria.

The delay to the issuance has resulted in delays to construction of Dangote’s 1.5Mta cement plant in Zambia’s Masaiti District on the Copperbelt. However, the Mines, Energy and Water Supply Permanent Secretary Victor Mutambo has now said the advisory committee would be sitting in the next two weeks and would issue Dangote Industries with the mining licence.

Two weeks ago, Dangote Industries general manager Vivek Heblikar said Government had approved the Dangote Industries mining licence, but that the company was yet to receive official communication from the Government.?Mr Heblikar said the company had received information that the licence had been approved but no official confirmation had been received from Government.

Dr Mutambo said Government was aware that Dangote was a huge project and that the ministry was doing everything possible to ensure the licence was issued.

“We, as Government, are aware that Dangote is a huge project which we cannot ignore.

“The advisory committee will soon be sitting and issue the cement plant with a mining licence,” Dr Mutambo said.

He explained that what had caused the delay was the suspension of issuance, renewal and transfer of mining and non-mining rights to facilitate an audit and streamlining of the licensing system. (Source: ukzambians)