Government has given China Nonferrous Mining Corporation Luanshya Copper Mine a two-week ultimatum in which to provide a development plan for shaft 28 that has been dormant for over a decade.
CNMC Luanshya Copper mine has seven mining licences with only three operational while others are dormant.
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says President Edgar Lungu is greatly concerned that shaft 28 has been dormant and flooded.
Mr. Musukwa says the mining company needs to state how it will develop Shaft 28 failure to which it should be surrendered to government.
He says government can find a strategic partner to develop the mine in order to create employment for the people of Luanshya.
Mr. Musukwa was speaking after a consultative meeting with the mine management in Luanshya.
He was accompanied President Lungu’s special assistant for project monitoring and implementation Andrew Chellah, Copperbelt province minister Japhen Mwakalombe and Chief Government Parliamentary whip Steven Chungu who is Luanshya central member of parliament.
And Mr. Musukwa persuaded NFCA Luanshya Copper mine to surrender the dump slags known as “Black Mountains” to the youths in the district.
Mr. Musukwa said he will soon be engaging the Director at the Ministry of Mines, to ensure all paper work is done so that dump slugs are given to the youth.
Meanwhile the Copperbelt Province Minister has thanked President LUNGU for putting up measures aimed at creating job opportunities for the youths in the province.
Mr. Mwakalombe observed that if the youths are empowered, the diversification programme can be well implemented.
And Mr. Chungu said the move will bring back life to the town which is slowly recovering from the economic misfortunes it underwent.
How does turning youths into scavengers , by giving damp slugs translate into diversification? Are these the 500,000 jobs they were promised during campaigns? If he had said they will turn luanshya into a silicon valley of Africa, i would have said yeah now that’s diversification, but scavenging through left overs left by their fathers ati diversification.
Political guru
PhD in political science.
You have a PHD in closing eyes and mind.
They are just preparing for the soon-to-be declared vacant MP seat in luanshya that will result in a bye election. So now they seem to suddenly get concerned about a mine & town they have neglected. Pull wool on poor Zambians eyes. Zambian politicians awe mwe!!!
Did HH sell it too? Let’s get it! Let’s roll. He is UNELECTABLE.
It’s a good move but we don’t want the Kitwe arrangement were only a few pipo in caders are the ones who will run it
BY-ELECTIONS GET THEM OF THEIR BACKSIDES, ROAN CONSTITUENCY HERE WE COME.
DO THE YOUTHS HAVE THE CAPACITY TO MINE THE SLAG DUMP?
THEY WILL REQUIRE EXCAVATORS AND THUS RICH CADRES WILL BENEFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE YOUTHS.
THE IDEA OF EMPOWERING YOUTHS IS A COMMENDIBLE ONE THOUGH,
The shaft remained dormant for a decade but nobody cared. Now that there is a prospect of by election in Luanshya suddenly the shaft and the dumps have become campaign tools.