Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) Executive Director says Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma’s suspension of mining licenses for Gold and other minerals in Eastern Province, it is worrisome as a number of large scale mining exploration licenses have been granted by government in a manner that is not transparent.
In a statement to Lusaka Times, TIZ Wesley Chibamba said companies are given multiple exploration licenses in the mining sector despite not having experience especially those in Petauke.
Chibamba demanded a thorough investigation into this matter saying Government should not use this suspension of mining licenses to victimize small scale mining outfits justice to benefit some of the companies that hold large scale mining licenses.
“Although Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma has suspended mining licenses for Gold and other minerals in Eastern Province, it is worrisome that a number of large scale mining exploration licenses have been granted by government in a manner that is not transparent” Chibamba said
It’s only ECONOMY OF SCALE that will led to a profitable mining venture. It’s done for the benefit of the country. Anticipated rewards are:
** Responsible and organised mining (something itinerant mining cannot do)
** Large-scale employment (small-scale mining thrives on piece work)
** Transparent royalty and income tax payments (small-scale mining evades this)
** An advertisement for other bigger mining houses to enter the arena
Please, please, please guys, leave PF and UPND out of this discussion!
I don’t understand the article. It says Mr Chibamba is worried about the suspension. It also talks of concerns on the many licenses issued. My observation is that the minister has to suspend the licenses so that he can sort out the licenses that have been issued haphazardly.
These things occur often when a Minister over stays in one Ministry. He becomes complacent and inefficient. It’s good to shuffle these Ministers once in a while. If the Ministry issued licences to small scale miners, then why suspend them? The homework was not done before the issuance and that’s incompetence on behalf of the Ministry. Eyebrows are raised because the issuance of licenses to bigger Miner’s was swift. We may face a situation where their license are suspended at some point. Everything seems to be broken down in the government. There’s so much haphazardness.
Let the Minister sort out the licensing saga which appears to reek with corruption. Meanwhile, let easterners concentrate in digging MBEBA which can ultimately turn into gold if well processed, canned and exported to China and Canada!