Reuters reports that Zambia has selected South Africa's Alberg Mining and Exploration to re-open its Kabwe zinc and lead mine.

Joseph Chikolwa, the head of state-run ZCCM Investments Holdings, said unlisted Alberg would have the task of restarting Kabwe, one of the oldest mines in Zambia which was abruptly shut in 1994 due to poor management and a lack of capital.

Alberg said in 2007 it intended to open three shafts to mine lead and zinc at Kabwe, 140 km (87 miles) north of the capital of Lusaka.

He said the government agency would retain a minimum stake of 20 percent in the mine once Alberg resumed lead and zinc production.

 

Alberg said last year that it also planned to produce 12,000 tonnes of blister copper per year after constructing a processing plant at Kabwe through its Zambian subsidiary, Silver Lining Ventures Ltd.