Times Of Swaziland: PLENTY GOLD AT LUFAFA COULD SEE MORE JOBS - KING

PLENTY GOLD AT LUFAFA COULD SEE MORE JOBS - KING
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BY BONISILE MAKHUBU on 27/02/2016 00:35:00


HHELEHHELE – His Majesty King Mswati III yesterday officially launched the
reopening of Lufafa Gold Mine situated at Hhelehhele in the Hhohho region.
The mine once operated over two decades ago.
With the employment of 200 people already, the mine is set to be fully
operational in two weeks time, according to an official.
Lufafa Managing Director Mihla Dlamini revealed that there was enough gold to be
dug for a period of 35 years.
The mine is reported to have more than two million tonnes of gold ore that
contains the gold while the actual gold that may be recovered is estimated at
about 15 000 kilograms.
His Majesty attested to the fact that there is plenty gold at Lufafa, saying not
very long the staff population will rise to 400, with an ultimate goal of having
the mine run and managed by Swazis at operational and management levels within
five years from now.
“Lufafa Mine PTY Ltd is composed of three shareholders. The shareholders are
Ingwenyama in trust for the Swazi nation, government of Swaziland and SDZ Mine
PTY Ltd. The life of the mine is 25 years with an option of renewal for a
further 15 years.”
He said the primary mandate of the mine was to mine, process, beneficiate; add
value and market the gold bullion and products made out of gold or contains
traces of gold.
“This is also in line with our aspirations in SADC and the African continent
where our economic block has agreed that we need to add value to our minerals
since Africa is endowed with a diverse number of natural resources yet we remain
poor.”