Jan 22 －A Zambian local government on Friday commended China Nonferrous Mining Corporation for its decision to resume operations at a copper mine in Zambia.

The firm placed Baluba Mine, in Luanshya town of Copperbelt Province, on care and maintenance in 2015 due to falling copper prices, a move that affected over 1,000 workers.

But Wang Jingjun, the company's deputy chief executive officer, said the mine will resume operation this year and that 13 million U.S. dollars has been set aside for the project.

He said the decision has been made following an improvement in the prices of copper on the international market.

Nathan Chanda, mayor of Luanshya, hailed the decision in a statement, saying the resumption of operation would allow the people of the town to go back to work.

The reopening of the mine, he said, was cardinal as it was the largest private sector employer in the town and plays a major role in the social and economic development.

The opening of the mine will also have spiral effects as other local firms will be involved in the supply of various services to the mine, he added.