/ 8 March 2000

CHINA PUTS $200m INTO ZAMBIAN COPPER

CHINA will invest $200-million in a Zambian mine as part of Beijing’s effort to ensure a stable supply of raw materials, an official said on Wednesday. Officials said the rehabilitation of the Chambishi copper mine is at an advanced stage and production is expected to resume later this year. The Chinese group bought an 85% stake in Chambishi from largely state-owned Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines in June 1998 for $20-million in cash. ZCCM retains a 15% stake in the mine.