Copper mines in different forest areas of the Pyuthan district have remained unutilised. The copper mines in Puja, Rajwara and Arkha areas of Goumukhi Rural Municipality remain buried due to a lack of conservation efforts.

The ancient equipment and tools used while the local people explored the mine are still found inside the mines. The tunnel dug while excavating copper, wooden poles and ancient boulders are still found in the mines.

According to Hari Sunar from Wagliwang- Goumukhi, they remain unused despite the copper mines available in the various forest areas. For the first time in 1997, a team from the Department of Geology verified the presence of copper in Goumukhi Rural Municipality. “We have copper mines in several areas, but the government is not exploring them more,” said Sunar.

If the government explores copper mines, the face of the village will be transformed, he said. A Chinese team comes time and again to study and explore the mines. Our predecessors excavated the copper mines using tools available in the village, and the copper pots they made are still found in the village, said Sunar.

The mine was closed after a total of 22 people were buried during excavation. Despite an enormous possibility, the local government is not authorised to excavate and sell the copper ores, said Mahavir Rana, the vice-chair of Goumukhi Rural Municipality.

“However, Goumukhi Rural Municipality has been planning to excavate and manage them which is believed to create new job opportunities. In the meantime, locals have started to run homestays to transform the village into a tourism destination. According to vice-president Rana, a road to the mine has already been built with the help of the Tourism Board.

By Risingnepaldaily Correspondent, Pyuthan