THE European Union has awarded Zambia a $26m loan facility to help small and medium scale miners, Zambian Finance Minister Katele Kalumba said this week. The loan facility, to be managed by the European Investment Bank, will be available to five Zambian banks and leasing companies, Kalumba said after signing the agreement with the European Union. “This facility will help in poverty reduction as the small and medium mining companies will create jobs after accessing the loan facility,” Kalumba said. – AFP