IRONED OUT: Non-ferrous metal foundries keep pace with increasing appliance demand

Today non-ferrous metals (metals other than iron and alloys that do not contain an appreciable amount of iron) are an indispensable part of every aspect of our lives. From daily necessities like telephones and electric cookers, to sophisticated equipment like satellites and radar, non-ferrous metals have a presence. China is relatively rich in tungsten and rare earth, but lacks reserves of bronze, zinc, nickel and lead, so sourcing non-ferrous metals outside the country has provided big challenges and opportunities for China Non-ferrous Metal Corp. (CNMC), a major player in this field.

Set up in 1983, CNMC is a state-owned company with business interests covering non-ferrous metal exploration, project contracting and mineral-related products trading.

Win-win

At the end of last year, CNMC came out on top among the 10 Chinese enterprises winning the third award for outstanding contribution to China-Africa friendship. It is the first time that this award, which was initiated by the China-Africa People's Friendship Association in 2006, was granted to enterprises. The previous two awards were given to Chinese and African individuals, including former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda.

General Manager Luo Tao said at the award ceremony that CNMC consistently acted on the principle of mutual benefit when it conducted business overseas. He explained that due to the high risk and long investment cycle, CNMC is very cautious in choosing a mineral mine as the potential investment target. "Only if we can prove the project is viable through serious appraisal and feasibility study, do we start to invest," Luo told ChinAfrica.

Facts and figures justify CNMC's outstanding performance in Africa. Available statistics show that during the 14 years since it landed in Africa, the company has invested over $1.4 billion across the continent. It has provided 115,000 jobs for local people, paid $82 million in taxes to local governments, donated $5 million to local charities and put $120 million in place for local infrastructure construction.

In Africa, CNMC has many cooperation partners, including those in Zambia, Angola, Algeria, Ethiopia and Botswana. It has established nine joint ventures in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Zambia, CNMC is the largest Chinese enterprise with six subsidiary companies.

The Zambia Chambishi Mine, owned by Non-Ferrous China Africa (NFCA), a unit of CNMC, is the largest mine China has ever invested in overseas. With total investment amounting to $317 million, the mine now has an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of copper concentrates.