Road Development Agency (RDA) Director and Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Nelson Chuma, has paid a courtesy call on Lumwana Mine, operated by Barrick Minning Corporation as part of his visit to North-Western Province aimed at appreciating ongoing road infrastructure projects and strengthening collaboration with the mining sector.
Eng. Chuma said the visit was intended to demonstrate the Agency's commitment to working closely with key stakeholders in the province, particularly mining companies that rely heavily on the road network for the transportation of mining equipment and other goods.
Eng. Chuma noted that RDA continues to collaborate with Lumwana Mine in a number of areas, including the movement of abnormal loads and maintenance of roads used by the mining company and its contractors.
The CEO encouraged the Mine to engage RDA whenever it encounters challenges in moving abnormal loads on the road network, assuring the mining company that the Agency remains a development partner and is committed to facilitating the smooth movement of mining equipment while protecting road infrastructure.
Eng. Chuma also disclosed that RDA is implementing several road projects in North-Western Province, including the rehabilitation of the 214-kilometre Mutanda–Mwinilunga Road under Government funding and World Bank funded OPRC Packages 5A in Kasempa,5B in Mufumbwe and Package 6 covers Manyinga and Kabompo Districts.
He further said works are also being undertaken on the Kasempa Turn-off–Kabompo Road, while other contracts cover selected roads in Kabompo and Kasempa.
He said the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has provided a grant of approximately US$312 million to support the upgrading of selected trunk roads in North-Western Province, as well as feeder roads aimed at improving farmers' access to markets.
Eng. Chuma further highlighted the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor, noting that the initiative is also receiving attention from the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has taken up the Mwinilunga to Jimbe Road Project.
Eng. Chuma has also called on Lumwana Mine to support efforts aimed at protecting the road network from damage caused by overloaded trucks.
He observed that overloading remains one of the major causes of premature deterioration of roads, alongside inadequate drainage.
He said RDA has recorded significant improvements in compliance in areas where weigh stations are operational, but stressed the need for continued cooperation from major mining companies and their transporters to ensure that vehicles comply with prescribed weight limits.
“As much as our mandate is to build and maintain roads, we also have an extra component where we monitor the loading on our roads. Overloading is one of the major causes of damage to our roads,” Eng. Chuma said.
He explained that road infrastructure represents a significant investment, with a typical road costing about US$500,000 per kilometre, making protection of the road network a shared responsibility among government, mining companies and transporters.
Meanwhile, Barrick Lumwana General Manager Eng. Kapila said the company remains committed to engaging RDA on infrastructure matters, including the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to periodoic maintenance of approximately 35km from Mutanda junction to R5 along T5.
Eng. Kapila said the company had also received an updated cost proposal from the selected contractor for the planned road maintenance works and that the proposal was currently undergoing internal review.
The engagement also discussed the need to ensure that road designs and drainage structures consider the heavy traffic generated by mining operations and changing climatic conditions.
Eng. Chuma said RDA will continue working with Barrick Lumwana and other stakeholders to ensure that road infrastructure in North-Western Province is developed and maintained to appropriate standards, while supporting the province's mining, agricultural and commercial activities.