Political and Socio Anthropologist James Musonda says the construction of a processing plant for copper ore from the black mountain is a temporary solution to the current high levels of unemployment.
Mopani Coppermine has advertised a tender for the design and construction of a plant to process the slugs dumps to recover approximately 115,000 tons of copper and 30,000 tons of cobalt metals.
Commenting on this development, Dr. Musonda says the move is a survival strategy for the company and that the decision illustrates the creativity, resilience and patriotism of Zambian mine managers in keeping the mine afloat under tough conditions.
Dr. Musonda however feels the project is beyond the reach of many Zambians as they will not afford the 25,000 dollars required to purchase the project documents.
Meanwhile, the Emerald Production Watch of Zambia is calling for reshuffles to cabinet that will see leadership at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development changed if the sub-sector is to see any progressive growth.
Organization President Musa Kafimbwa says the mining sector is being underutilized with sustained under production leading to losses of revenue, which he attributes to an alleged lack of leadership at the ministry and subsequently the sector.
Delay in delivery of agriculture inputs is likely to result in high cost of food next year.
