By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THE stability in the copper prices has brightened the country’s mining sector outlook with world’s mining conglomerates such as Rio Tinto and Anglo American intensifying mineral explorations.
Mines and Mineral Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the country is still attractive  to mining investors.
“The outlook is bright, Rio Tinto and Anglo, some of the world’s  most diversified mining giants have intensified mineral explorations and there is high likelihood that that they will strike some copper and other minerals,” Mr Yaluma said.
He said in an interview in Kitwe recently that the Government was doing everything possible to attract more investments in the mining industry.
Mr Yaluma urged existing mining firms in the country to intensify explorations to increase production in view of the raising copper prices.
He called on Luanshya Copper Mines to invest in Baluba Mine dewatering as part of a revamping measures.
“It is possible Baluba Mine can be revamped, the company should work on measures to dewater the mining, Konkola Copper Mine’s Nchanga Underground Mine is one of the wettest mines on earth but the company has been managing,” Mr Yaluma said.
On KCM, he said he is happy that the mining giant had sorted outoutstanding liabilities with the local suppliers and contractors.
Mr Yaluma said Government was expecting that the company would increase copper production this year.