The Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Tao Xinghu went to Presidential Palace of Zambia and made an official visit to His Excellency Mr Edgar Lungu, the President of Zambia on Zambian time of March 21, 2018.
During the meeting, the Chairman Tao Xinghu greeted President Lungu on behalf of the General Manager of CNMC Zhang Keli. The Deputy General Manager Tao Xinghu stated that, the Chambishi Southeast Ore Body Project invested and constructed with USD 800 million by NFC would be put into operation in 2018, and this project adopts the most advanced production technology and process in the world, and by now, its underground mining technology is the most advanced in the mining industry in Zambia. The Chairman Tao Xinghu said that, under the support from President Lungu and the governments of both countries, the Company would expand friendly space for cooperation, and make efforts to become the important bridge and link connecting the "African Dream" and the "Chinese Dream", thus making greater contributions to the creation of community with a common future between China and Zambia.
After listening to the report, President Lungu was very pleased and pointed out that, CNMC was the largest China-invested enterprise in Zambia, and was also an enterprise symboling the friendly relations and cooperation between China and Zambia. The Government of Zambia would provide stable political and economic environment, and support the Company's investment and development fully in Zambia, and he hoped that the Company could increase its investment in Zambia and make greater contributions to Zambia's social and economic development, technical advancement and well-being of people.
Subsequently, President Tao Xinghu also made reports on vocational education of the youths in Zambia, which was a concern of President Lungu. He stated that, under the strong support of the two countries and relevant departments between Zambia and China, the Company would make efforts to provide the youths in Zambia with high-level channels for vocational and technical education, and improve the vocational skills of the local youths. Currently, the Learning Center in Zambia of Open University of China is headquartered in Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, and established three teaching schools, including Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone, NFC Africa Mining PLC (NFC) and CNMC Luanshya Copper Mining PLC (CLM). The Company established the first pilot unit in Zambia based on the policy of "Going Abroad" implemented by China's vocational education, and promoted the professional education quality and the vocational technologies of the industrial workers in Zambia.
President Lungu pointed out that, the development of high-quality vocational and technical education in Zambia was a long-term plan benefiting the nation and the people, the Government of Zambia would support such course vigorously. The Committee of Ministry of Education on University Scholarships in Zambia would make careful selection, admit the best candidates based on a fair and transparent principle, so that the students in Zambia could succeed in a special field of study and learn to meet practical needs, and he hoped that CNMC could step up its efforts, and create a high-quality professional technical team with exquisite craftsmanship, proper structure and full of vitality jointly for Zambia.
Yang Youming, Chinese Ambassador in Zambia also attended the meeting.
