plans to replace or modernize the lead smelter at Megrine . Trade in concentrates ?nd metal
Some of the primary lead produced in the country is consumed locally while the rest is exported. Zinc concentrate is exported to the European Community countries. Production of lead and zinc concentrates from the prospective Bougrine mine will be exclusively
for export (">.
structure of the industry
With regard to the mining prospect at Bougrine, agreement was reached in 1989 to set up a joint venture company, Societe Miniere
Bougrine (SMB), to mine lead and zinc at Bougrine. SMB is owned
50% by Germany's Metallgesellschaft (MG), 30% by the local Office National des Mines and 10% each by Banque de Developpement Economique de Tunisie and Banque Tuniso Koweitienne de Developpement <6). The El Akhouat Lead-zinc mine is StatepOwned and operated by Societe Tunisienne d'Expansion Miniere (SOTEMI S.A.).The other operating mines (Boujabeur, lead-zinc; Fed3 El Adoum, Lead-zinc; and Fedj Hassen, zinc) are operated by Compagnie Miniere
du Nord Ouest.
General prospects
Depending on the outcome of a feasibility study, mining of lead and zinc could come on stream in 1993 at Bougrine in north west Tunisia, after an investment of about US$40 million on plant
and mine construction. Output at start-up of the new inine is
expected to be 100,000 tons per year of concentrate.
Additionally a joint Tuniso-Bulgarian mining company was established in January 1990 to exploit lead-zinc ores at Fel-el-Heddoun in the Siliana region (1O).
Moreover, the Khadhkhadra zinc deposit at Sidi Bou Aouane in Jendouba, where Geomines International plans exploratory drilling, (5) could lead to a future mine.
ZAIRE
Lead-zinc resources
Kipushi is reported to be the continent's principal zinc., cadmium and germanium deposit <3). Information on reserves at this
deposit s not however available.
Zinc production
Gecamines-Exploitation operates the Kipushi underground mine in the country. The hydrometallurgical process is used to recover zinc metal (11).
Trade in zinc metal
Gecamines-Commercialisation is the current sales agent for Gecamines-Exploitation. Exports of zinc slab are destined to the European Committee region and the United States of America.
Structure of the industry
Generale des Carrieres et des Mines (Gecamines) is a Zairean
state-owned company ZAMBIA
Lead-zinc resources
As of 31 March 1989 (fully developed, partly developed and undeveloped) ore reserves at Kabwe lead-zinc mine were reported as nearly 1.1 million tonnes grading 17.5% zinc and 5.3% lead (11). In recent years mining grades have declined and in response exploration within the property for increased reserves has intensified (14).
Lead-zinc production
Production of lead and zinc at the Kabwe mine has been in operation since 1906. Production of both lead and zinc has been on the decline in recent years because of declining ore grades;
shortages of spare parts, fuel and lubricants; and eguipment breakdowns (15). Lead is recovered through the pyroraetallurgical process whilst zinc is won through the hydrometallurgical process.
Trade in metals
Metals sales in Zambia are performed locally and internationally by the Metals Marketing Corporation of Zambia (Memaco). Exports by Zambia of lead and zinc to African countries have in recent years been confined to the eastern and southern African states but the growth of intra-African trade has been hampered by scarcity of foreign exchange in the region <15). These exports are of the order of 10 thousand tons of zinc and 2 thousand tons of lead per year to countries such as Kenya, Tanzania,
Zimbabwe, Uganda and Malawi. The low volume of lead exports also reflects the increased use of secondary lead in such countries as
Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Structure of the industry
The Kabwe lead-zinc mine is operated by the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM). ZCCM is 60.3% owned by the Zambian government through its holding company - Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation (Zimco); 27.3% by ZCI Holdings Ltd- (a wholly owned subsidiary of Zambia Copper Investments Limited, part of the Anglo American Corp. of South Africa group); 6.9% by Roan Selection Trust International Inc. (a subsidiary of ITM International SA); and 5.5% by other shareholders (11)
ZIMBABWE
A copper-lead-zinc deposit exists at Sanyati some 230 km north west of Harare, Based on substantial diamond drilling and underground exploration, proven and probable sulphide reserves total 19 million tons grading 1.2% copper, 0.9% lead, 3.0% zinc, 25g/ton silver and 0.3g/ton gold. 12 million tons of these reserves are proven. Oxide reserves (proven and probable) amount to 6 million tonnes at 1.6% copper, 1.4% lead, 2.0% zinc, 25g/ton silver and 0.3 g/ton gold. There is potential for larger tonnages with some gossan areas still unexplored at depth, and requiring extensive diamond drilling <1S)
General prospects
It is reported that the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) is looking for joint venture partners to enable it to develop the Sanyati deposit. The chances are that this project will materialise as it will provide local industries with domestic lead and zinc in place of hitherto imported requirements.
REFERENCES
1. Alfredo J. Damroert and Jasbir G.S. Chhabra, "The Lead and Zinc Industries", World Bank Staff Commodity Working Paper Number
22.
2. John A. Wolfe, Mineral Resources: A World Review, Chapman and
Hall (1984)
3. N. de Kun, Mineral Economics of Africa, Elsevier 1987
4. The Economist Intelligence Unit Country Profile, 1991-1992 5. Mining Annual Review, 1990
6. Mining Annual Review, 1989
7. Africa Research Bulletin, Vol/ 26 N° 12, 31 January 1990
8. Mining Annual Review, 1987
9. Africa Research Bulletin, Vol. 27 N° 4, 31 May 1990
10. Africa Research Bulletin, Vol. 27 N' 1, 28 February 1990 11. Financial Times Mining International Year Book, Longman 1991 12. A Future for Namibian Mining, Catholic Institute for
International Relations (CIIR) 1983
13. The Economist Intelligence Unit Country Profile 1990-1991 14. ZCCM Annual Reports
15. Metal Marketing Corporation of Zambia Limited (MEMACO) Annual Reports
16. Africa Research Bulletin, Vol. 28 N" 6, 16 June to 15 July
1991
17. World Directory: Lead and Zinc Mines and Primary Metallurgical Works, International lead and Zinc Study Group.