March 5 Youth Mine located on the shore of the Amnok River in the northern part of Korea makes an active contribution to the country’s economy and the people’s living.
The mine was an uninhabited mountainous remote area until half a century ago.
President Kim Il Sung, who was always on field guidance tour for his country and people, visited the mine in September Juche 53 (1964) and assigned a task of conducting a geological prospecting to officials concerned. When a deposit of a mineral was found out, he unfolded a far-reaching plan for developing the area into a promising mine.
Thanks to his meticulous guidance, the mine was developed into the country’s precious nonferrous mineral producer.
In the 1990s when the country was undergoing difficulties and the mine consequently faced harsh ordeals, General Kim Jong Il indicated the ways to revamp the mine and took measures to this end.
In January 2008 he came to the mine in the bitter cold, traversing high and steep icy roads in the northern region. When he visited it again in September 2010, he spoke highly of the successes the officials and workers there had achieved and advanced new tasks for developing the mine.
Greatly encouraged by his patriotic devotion, the officials and workers finished the project for increasing the capacity of a dressing plant in two years after they had started, the project which would take five or six years to complete, and overfulfilled the concentrated ore production plan every year.
Amidst a brisk innovation drive the mine built and put into operation in October last year another modern nonferrous metal producing base suited to the requirements of the era of knowledge-based economy.
Revitalization of production brought about a marked improvement in the livelihoods of the miners. Modern houses, hall of culture and rest home have been built at the foot of the mountains around the mine.
Miners often have swimming contests after a day’s work at the Hoha Health Complex which is fully equipped with cultural and welfare facilities.
At night the miners’ village is as bright as day, showcasing the cultured, rich and happy life of the miners.
The remarkable changes in the mine are the realization of the President’s wish and the General’s ideal and they are the looks of Songun Korea which is hastening the building of a thriving nation.
