Lumina Metals is working on environmental documentation for a future copper mine in the Nowa Sól region. Local authorities estimate the project could create up to 20,000 jobs and generate significant tax revenues, with copper recently recognised by the EU as a strategic raw material for the energy transition.

In recent days, talks between Lubuskie local government officials regarding cooperation with Lumina Metals, which wants to mine copper in the Nowa Sól region, have accelerated. Local authorities are counting on thousands of new jobs.

Lumina Metals is currently working on environmental documentation for future mining.

Copper Project Status

"We anticipate an open dialogue with local communities. We have an office directly next to our deposit, so we are happy to receive visitors. As part of our recent activities, we are planning drilling in the area adjacent to the areas covered by the Natura 2000 program, which requires consultations and obtaining appropriate approvals. So far, this process has been successful," said Jordan Pandoff, CEO of Lumina Metals, at the Future Mining Forum & Expo mining congress.

After the launch of production, we will have the opportunity to obtain new tax revenues. However, above all, thanks to the factory, new, important tax revenues will be created.

As Izabela Bojko, the mayor of the Nowa Sól commune, assures us, all drilling works are carried out in compliance with the highest environmental standards and with the use of modern technologies that minimize the impact on the environment. "The investor emphasizes that the mine will not have a negative impact on the environment. The ore concentrate will go to the smelter in Głogów, what remains after the technological process will return underground," emphasizes Izabela Bojko.

New jobs that cannot be overestimated

The local government of the Lubuskie Voivodeship also has high hopes for the possibility of reaching for copper and silver deposits located in this region. According to the Marshal of the Lubuskie Voivodeship, Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski, this is the largest unexploited deposit of these metals in Europe. Our interlocutor emphasizes that the launch of the copper and silver mine is a key – historic – investment in the development of the Lubuskie Voivodeship. In his opinion, the launch of mining will provide thousands of jobs (directly in the mine and indirectly in related companies). Here he refers to the estimates of the consulting company EY, which estimates that about 8 thousand people will find work in the mine alone. The total employment (indirect, direct and induced) may even exceed over 20 thousand people.

"This cannot be overestimated at a time when Lubuskie is also struggling with demographic problems, and we hope to attract new residents in connection with the investment. We know that the decision to launch the mine is awaited by the residents of Lubuskie local governments," points out the Marshal, expressing great hope for the prospect of thousands of new jobs, the development of local enterprises, new professional competencies and an investment impulse for many municipalities and counties," says Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski.

More details are revealed to us by representatives of local government authorities directly in the commune. According to Izabela Bojko, the plan for the construction of the mining and metallurgical complex assumes the creation of one of the largest new industrial and employee centers in western Poland. "We expect a demand for personnel in the construction phase of the mine (engineers, builders, fitters), in the operational phase, i.e. with permanent employment – miners, machine operators, geologists, engineering and administrative staff, as well as for local suppliers and subcontractors (service, security, catering)," she enumerates.

Generational Fund and Taxes

Sebastian Ciemnoczołowski also associates the hope for the growing importance of the region with the fact that copper has recently been officially recognized by the European Union as a strategic raw material for the energy transition. "Without copper from Lubuskie, it will be impossible to build European wind farms or electric cars. What is more, this deposit is so rich that statistically in each square kilometer of the Nowa Sól area (120 square kilometers) there is on average over 83 thousand tons of pure copper. It is as if there is capital under the feet of the inhabitants that allows us to finance the construction of a dozen or so modern hospitals on each square kilometer. This is just a picture of what kind of project we are dealing with," emphasizes the Marshal.

In order for the funds from future mining to remain in the region, the Lubuskie Young Generation Fund is to be established. "Part of the profits from mining, processing and selling copper will go to a special fund established for residents under the age of 18. The fund will be allocated to various areas related to the education and upbringing of young people," explains the Marshal.

When asked about the income for the municipality from mining activities, Izabela Bojko points out that it depends directly on the implementation phase of the project. However, the first money is already there. As Izabela Bojko mentions, at the current stage of drilling and exploration works, the revenues are smaller, and yes, the fee for the duration of the concession for the exploration of copper and silver ore deposits has been set at PLN 38,319, of which 60 percent is the income of the municipalities in which the activity will be conducted. "After the construction and commissioning of the mine, this investment will completely change the budget of the local government," believes the mayor of the commune.