Copper and Cobalt up

COPPER AND COBALT OUTPUT UP: Copper production in Zambia rose by 16% in the first half of the year after mines increased output as the global economic crisis eased, according to central bank data. The first-half copper output of 393,089 tonnes put the country on course to hit its annual target of 750,000 tonnes. Cobalt production during the period more than doubled to 4,057 tonnes from 1,967 tonnes last year, while exports of the metal increased to 3,889 tonnes from 1,950 tonnes last year, greatly helped by the restarting of output by Chambishi Metals, Zambia's largest cobalt producer.

K25BN ALLOCATED FOR NEW HIGH SCHOOL: The Government has allocated K25 billion for the construction of Mufumbwe High School according to North-Western Province Minister, Daniel Kalenga. He reiterated the Government's commitment to providing quality education by improving infrastructure and recruiting more teachers, especially for rural areas that have acute understaffing. Mr Kalenga said the construction of Mufumbwe District Hospital had been completed at K4.5 billion and the contractor would hand it over soon.

'STRONG KWACHA WILL MODERATE INFLATION': Central bank Deputy Governor Denny Kalyalya has said a stronger kwacha would help offset the inflationary impact of a 26% rise in electricity prices set for next month. The kwacha should strengthen due to rising metal prices and planned maize exports after a bumper harvest, so Zambia could still achieve its target of 8% inflation by the end of the year despite higher power prices. 

YOUNG ZAMBIANS TO ATTEND OBAMA FORUM: Three young Zambians will join more than 100 young leaders from civil society and the private sector in 40 Sub-Saharan African countries at the President Barrack Obama Forum with Young African leaders in Washington D.C in August. They are Abigail Kaindu from Camfed and Samfya Women Filmmakers, Mundia Hakoola from the National Youth Anti-Corruption Movement and Brenda Phiri from Deloitte and Touche. In addition to a meeting with the president, the forum includes small-group discussions on topics such as transparency and accountability, job creation and entrepreneurship, rights advocacy and the use of technology to empower individuals and communities. 

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