What We Are
Universal Mining & Chemical Industries Ltd (UMCIL), is a wholly Zambian-owned private limited company, with it’s factory located at Kafue town. The company is dedicated to the promotion, development and use of Zambian domestic raw materials whenever and wherever possible into the manufacturing of its goods. Its current and immediate project portfolio is the manufacture of Iron and Steel Products from Zambian Iron Ores, Manganese Ores and Coal in an Integrated, Sustainable and Environmental way.
Mission
To be a trusted and innovative leader in the steel industry, consistently offering outstanding quality and value to our customers.
Vision
To be Africa’s leading steel manufacturer.
Core Values
1
Passion
We are deeply committed to delivering steel products of the highest quality.
2
Integrity
Our foundation is built on ethics and persistent commitment to compliance.
3
Innovation & Improvement
We constantly strive to enhance our quality standards.
4
Respect
We listen We reciprocate We honor individuals and their ideas.
5
Enhance Customer Value
We aim to elevate customer value by delivering quality products and providing the best value for their money
Company History
Birth of Universal Mining & Chemical Industries Ltd
1st Project to consider: Manufacture of Copper Oxychloride from Copper Wastes generated from ZAMEFA copper wire
Acquisition of Kanankatampa Copper Deposit in Chongwe, Zambia and Prefeasibility study conducted by Mpelembe Drilling Ltd on the recovery of copper for the production of copper oxychloride
Pilot Plant manufacturing synthetic gypsum from United Quarries Ltd high grade limestone for the production of plaster of Paris and subsequently plaster board
Birth of Trade Kings Ltd and establishment of Boom detergent paste plant by locally designing and fabricating the equipment/ machinery Suspension of UMCIL activities
Reconsideration of UMCIL activities and evaluation of potential projects to invest in: copper processing, cement manufacture and steel production
Choice of Steel Manufacturing
Pre-feasibility and market survey for steel products in Zambia, Conceptualization of a steel products manufacturing set-up
Acquisition of a 80 hector plot at Kafue and Feasibility Study for the establishment of a 250,000 t/year construction steel plant at Kafue
Environment Impact Assessment for establishment of Kafue Steel Plant
Commencement of the 1st Phase of the Integrated Iron and Steel plant at Kafue with the erection of an electric arc furnace mini-mil
Commissioning of the Kafue Steel Plant operation
Establishment of a 2,000 tons/month window section rolling plant
Commencement of the 2nd Phase of the Integrated Iron and Steel Plant to include an opening up of iron ore mine, haulage road construction and a direct iron reduction plant
Certification of UMCIL as an ISO 9001- 2008 Quality Management System (QMS) Entity
Mine Operation Launch: iron ore mining at Sanje Hill Iron Ore Mine, Sibuyunj District.
• Declaration on the Establishment of Kafue Iron and Steel Economic Zone to be anchored by UMCIL on
• In-house Development, Fabrication and Installation of Hydraulic Hot Billet Shearing Facility at the Continuous Casting Machine of the Steel Melting Shop
• Launch of Direct Reduction Iron (Sponge Iron) Plant by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
• In-house Development Fabrication and Installation of a Hot Billet Charging System from the Continuous Casting Machine to the Reinforced Bar Rolling Mill
• Trial Production of Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) using the Tunnel Kiln Technology
• Establishment of a 40 tonnes per day Lime plant at Sanje Hill Iron Ore Mine
• Upgrading of the Steel Works from ISO 9001-2008 to ISO 9001-2015 QMS Certification
• Engineering Institute of Zambia Awards for the Best Engineering Innovation
• Kaizen National champion on Cost Reduction and Continuous Improvement
• Envoy to the International Convention on Quality hosted by the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), Tokyo, Japan
In 2022, Universal Mining and Chemical Industries Limited (UMCIL) rebranded to emphasize its leadership in cutting-edge technologies, global quality standards, and its role as an icon of Zambian-sourced and forged steel for building the future locally and regionally.
Our CSR
As a partner in Zambia socio-economic development, UMCIL is committed to revitalising the Kafue town socio-economic activities. We aim to achieve this through assistance in the establishment of a business park that promotes “Indigenous Empowerment”, skills training and the creation of small scale enterprises to support the steel mill and the community. By working with various stakeholders to we aim to improve the quality of life of not only Kafue residents, but of all Zambians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UMCIL donated compressed oxygen to local and regional hospitals. This was to help with the shortages caused by the pandemic
Environmental Responsibilty
UMCIL’s environmental motto of “A Better Today for A Better Tomorrow” clearly spells out the vision, goals and ways in which the company intends to address environmental issues pertaining to its operations. Our “Zero Waste Discharge” aims to mitigate any pollution emitted from the steel which will not only to comply with the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) regulations and standards, but will also to promote, protect and conserve a clean environment for the future generation.We vow to uphold not only the Kafue environment but also its surrounding areas.