Reopening of the mines will create more needed jobs by youths - Luanshya Mayor | WestMac Media

By Staff Reporter, Ndola 

Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda has expressed optimism of the reopening of Baluba mine which was put on care and maintenance in 2015 adding that reopening of mines in his town will create more needed jobs by youths and many people in Luanshya and Copperbelt at large. 

The Mayor said when the mines are open, the economy of Luanshya will also improve. 

“With this Luanshya will not be the same more so complimenting the Mulyashi Open Pit which is the new life blood of Luanshya,” he said. 

Mr Chanda is also hoping that Shaft 28 will also be opened by the China Non Ferrous Metal Company Luanshya Copper Mine (CLM). 

He said now that the copper prices on the world market were slowly getting back to normal, the local authority was expecting Luanshya Copper Mine (LCM) to start firing back to life after the positive trends the world copper mining industry was currently recording. 

“We are optimistic of the reopening of the Baluba mine which is on care and maintenance. We are also hopeful that Shaft 28 will be opened. You see the Copper prices are now doing well and the Kwacha has appreciated well so we expect the two mines to be opened for the benefit of our people. We are confident that with the attractive Copper prices, things will change in Luanshya and expect that all the workers to be called back for work,” the Mayor said. 

The Mayor said he is very much alive to the fact that the mines will be opened because the main reason the biggest investor used when leaving the last time they were engaged was the low copper prices and power. 

Mr Chanda noted that Luanshya residents remained optimistic that the prices of copper on the world market would one day stabilize. 

“In line with our town’s motto: Copper Remains Valuable, we are hopeful that the mining sector will continue making Luanshya a better town to live in for both the investors and the locals who includes the local suppliers and all because this will have a multiple effects to the economy of Luanshya. 

“Let me also assure that very soon, we will visit the mines to get first hand information on what the mines are planning now,” he said.