Government says it has asked Mopani Copper Mine to surrender Mindola North and Central shafts to local investors, in an effort to protect the interest of Zambians.

Speaking in an interview with Money FM News Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says surrendering the two shafts to local investors is aimed at protecting jobs of contractors in the industry.

Mr Musukwa says that the decision is also aimed at ensuring that export of the mineral is continued.

He says the decision and reasoning for Mopani copper mine to suspend the corporations and put them under care and maintenance are at variance with the interest of government.

And the Economic Association of Zambia EAZ has commended the mines minister of his stance over the matter.

EAZ Copperbelt Chairperson Matthews Muyembe says on the fate of Mindola’s Northern and Central Shaft in light of Mopani’s decision to shut down its uneconomic operations.

Mr Muyembe says Association believes the move will allow government to offer these to local investors who will, utilise them as opportunities for employment.

He says this will assist citizenry in bettering their livelihoods through mining the little minerals that are left in the dumps.

“The Association attaches immense value to the Copperbelt region which is Zambia’s mining hub and that loss of jobs impacts the livelihood of citizens.” He said.
He however bemoans the loss of jobs this operational shut down will result in especially that it is coming a little earlier than anticipated.

Last week Mopani Copper mines proposed to put two of its’s mining shafts under maintenance and care citing operational difficulties.