Zambia power system glitch cuts electricity supply to some mines (updated)

China Nonferrous Mining

02/11/2018 11:49

(Adds comments from mine, industry sources)
    LUSAKA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Power supply to some mines in
Africa's second-biggest copper producer was cut due to a
technical fault, Zambian state power firm Zesco said on Friday.
    "We had a system disturbance which led to loss of power on
the Copperbelt, including the mines," the utility's spokesman
Henry Kapata said. 
    "We are investigating the cause of the disturbance. Power
restoration has started but it will be gradual." 
    A spokesman for Luanshya Copper Mine owned by China
Nonferrous Metals Mining Corporation (CNMC)  1258.HK  said the
company expected to lose about four hours of production.
    "Even though the power restoration has started we have to
launch the equipment gradually to avoid damage," Luanshya Copper
Mine spokesman Sydney Chileya said.
    Industry sources said Konkola Copper Mines(KCM) owned by
Vedanta Resources  VED.D  shut down all its operations except
its smelter and the Konkola Deep Mine during the blackout. KCM
could not immediately be reached for comment.

 (Reporting by Chris Mfula
Editing by Ed Stoddard)
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