New Copperbelt, new line of rail?

The Daily Mail reports that North-Western Railway have assured the government that they will commence construction work once mine operators in North-Western province have committed to using the new railway. N-W Railway are looking for government intervention to ensure this commitment. While the government is apparently keen on the railway project as it would reduce road-damage caused by trucks, they also suggested that the mining companies themselves would be keen on the project as it would reduce the export route for their minerals. N-W Railway claim that they are awaiting approval from the Surveyor General and from the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), having submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. Following approval, the first phase of the rail project will run from Chingola to Lumwana; the second phase (in conjunction with the Chinese) will run from Lumwana to Angola. Some funding may be forthcoming from America, South African banks, and the European Investment Bank. It is predicted that approx. 2000 people will be employed on the project once it is up and running. This story is of interest since proximity to the existing 'line of rail', built in the colonial era, has defined the developmental geography of Zambia. The Chinese helped construct then helped construct the TAZARA link to Tanzanian ports on the Inidan Ocean. A link to the Atlantic Coast, via Angola, would represent a significant symbolic and practical statement about development in Zambia and would transform hopes of industrialisation in areas previously considered 'bush'. But the project, it appears, will not go ahead without the mining companies taking a financial punt, raising questions about the commitment of major multinationals to the transformation of Zambia under the current copper boom. As discussed, continuiing to use road infrastructure has significant costs to Zambia.