PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has officially commissioned the Euro-Africa Kalengwa Mine in Mufumbwe District of North-Western Province after over 40 years of non-operationalisation.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony and official launch of the Mine today, Mr Hichilema thanked the people of Mufumbwe and the country at large for believing in the government’s commitment to developing their wellbeing by ensuring that more jobs are created in the mines among others. 
The President called on the mine to prioritise employing local people, adding that they should be sent to school if they were not qualified.
‘‘I urge you to employ local people. If they are not qualified, send them to school. And you locals when you get a job, you must work hard because that is the only way we can develop this country,” he said.
The Head of State further stressed that dialogue was key in resolving problems as opposed to taking issues to court.
He has since urged Euro Africa Kalengwa Mine and its partners to prioritise dialogue as a way of resolving issues.
Mr Hichilema also urged the developers of the Mine to support local people with contracts, adding that once awarded contracts, the local people must ensure the Mine is supplied with the necessary requisites.
Minister of Mines and Minerals, Paul Kabuswe, said with the current investments in the mining sector, Northwestern Province is poised to create about 24, 000 jobs next year.
He said it was unacceptable that Kalengwa Mine was left unoperational for a long time, whilst the people of Mufumbwe remained suffering and unemployed.
Euro Africa Kalengwa Mine Board Chairperson, Mulondwe Muzungu, assured President Hichilema that the Mine was ready to help the government achieve its target for optimum copper production.
And Chief Mumena of the Kaonde people of Northwestern Province hailed the company for partnering with locals to bring the mine to life.
He reiterated President Hichilema’s call to prioritise the employment of local people.
