By MILDRED KATONGO –
LUANSHYA Mine (CNMC) has said it will increase its workforce to more than 2,700 workers once the Baluba underground mine starts its operations this year.
CNMC chief executive officer-Technical Robert Kamanga said the mining firm was in the process of reopening the Baluba plant with plans to increase the work force.
Mr Kamanga said this when a delegation of five ministers led by Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo held a meeting with management, explaining that the company had 1,171 direct and 1,271 indirect workers, figures were projected to increase to 1,271 direct and 1,700 indirect workers when the Baluba Mine reopened.
He said to mitigate the challenges of high production costs, low volumes and quality of material, the company had brought in slug processing plant.
Mr Kamanga said in their view, they brought in the slug plant with an intention to reduce Baluba production costs so that the mine remained open and in operation.
In 2015, operations  at Baluba plant were suspended due to poor power supply, low copper price, poor quality ore and high production cost.
“Baluba Mine is the only mine which has experienced four shutdowns on account of mainly the copper prices and poor quality. We will increase the number of workers once we commence operations at the plant,” he said.
He said with most of the copper reserves now depleted, the company had opted to start operating the slug reprocessing plant.
Mr Kamanga also said that the company had 1, 965 registered contractors and suppliers, out of which1,841 were Zambians, representing 92 percent of the total suppliers.
Mr Kampyongo urged the mining firm to avoid shut downs but find other ways and means of sustaining operations.
He said the shut downs had affected the people who depended on the mining firm for their livelihoods.
Mr Kampyongo said the ministerial team engaged the mining firm to dialogue on matters affecting the workers who were put on forced leave after Baluba Mine operations was suspended.
He assured the investor of government’s commitment to ensuring a safe and secure business environment for both foreign and local investors.