Albidon Munali Nickel mine in Mazabuka has not yet surrendered back the 1,000 hectares of land to the community despite a commitment made by the management last year. This is because modalities of sub dividing the 2,100 hectares have not yet been completed by the Ministry of Lands.
Mazabuka Mayor, Shadreck Mwiinga, however, told ZANIS in Mazabuka that the local authority is closely monitoring the developments to ensure that the affected families are given back their land. He said the new Chinese management has committed itself to implementing the decision made by the previous Albidon management to surrender the land which the mine does not intend to use.
Mr. Mwiinga also revealed that the construction of a school, clinic and rehabilitation of the road network for villagers who were resettled at the inception of the mine will continue under the mine resettlement plan.
He said the new management has assured both his office and government through the Ministry of Mines that the commitments made by the previous management will be implemented.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mwiinga has disclosed that the re-opening of the Albidon mine has cheered the community especially that the Chinese investor has also promised to create job opportunities for the local people.
He said the local leadership are particularly happy with the Rupiah Banda administration for working round the clock to ensure a genuine investor to run the mine was found.
He said the closure of the mine at the height of the global financial crisis that resulted in the mine being put under care and maintenance had severely affected the economic status of the district. Production at the only nickel mine is expected to start this month.
ZANIS.
Care and maintenance are sick words for Mines.