REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) REPORT for the Proposed Synclinorium Rock Hoisting Shaft and Ventilation Shaft by Mopani Copper Mines Plc in Kitwe Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Plc is a Zambian registered large-scale mining company. The company has mining and processing operations in Kitwe and Mufulira on the Copperbelt. MCM’s major operations in Kitwe include underground and open pit mining, a Concentrator, Cobalt and Acid Plants and a Solvent Extraction/Electro-winning Plant. In Mufulira, major operations include underground mining, a Concentrator, Smelter, In-situ Leaching, Heap Leaching, VAT Leaching, an Acid Plant and a Solvent Extraction/Electro-winning Plant. Support facilities in both Mufulira and Kitwe include engineering workshops, transportation, waste disposal, healthcare and administration facilities.   MCM is anticipating a 50% ore production decline in Kitwe in the coming years due to depletion of the ore body at the Central and Mindola Shafts. To compensate for this decline, MCM intends to mine the copper ore in the synclinorium ore body between the Central Shaft and South Ore Body (SOB) Shaft by sinking a rock hoisting shaft and a ventilation shaft. Other support infrastructure to  be constructed include two ore storage silos near the rock hoisting shaft, a railway line to spur the two silos and water handling facilities. The proposed project is scheduled to take four and half years from 2010 to 2014.   In accordance with provisions of the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act Number 12 of 1990, read together with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations (SI No. 28 of 1997), MCM conducted an EIA and prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which has been submitted to Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) for consideration. ECZ therefore invites comments regarding the proposed project from members of the public, interested and affected parties. Copies of the EIS are available for public scrutiny during working hours at the following places:   (i)       Kitwe City Council – Council Chamber; and (ii)      ECZ Offices in Ndola and Lusaka. (iii)      Click here to download an electronic version. Written comments or queries can be submitted to the undersigned not latter than 23rd July 2010. The Manager – Inspectorate Environmental Council of Zambia Corner of Church and Suez Roads P.O Box 35131, Lusaka E-mail: jsakala@necz.org.zm Tel: +260 211 254023 / 59 Fax: +260 211 254164 The Manager – Inspectorate The Manager – Northern Region Environmental Council of Zambia Jacaranda Road P.O Box 71302, Ndola E-mail     : pzulu@necz.org.zm Tel         : 0212 621048 Fax     : 0212 610246