Kalomo DC talks tough on Illegal gold mining
Kalomo District Commissioner (DC), Joshua Sikaduli says his office would not tolerate illegal mining activities obtaining in some parts of the district depriving the government of the much-needed revenue.
Speaking when he inspected an illegal gold mining site along the Gwezi river in Sianyama village in chief Sipatunyana’s area of Kalomo, Mr Sikaduli notes that while government wants the local people to benefit from the natural resources endowed in their respective areas, there is need to follow proper channels for them to conduct such activities in a formal and legal manner.
“As we want to empower the locals with the resources found in your areas, there is a proper way to formalise this, come together and form a cooperative then apply for a license from the ministry of mines and Mineral Development so that you are allowed to conduct your business in an orderly manner,” Mr Sikaduli said.
Headman Sianyama, Nelson Chikuni said he has tried his best to discourage his subjects from engaging in illegal mining activities but with no positive response while area councilor of Mayoba ward has cautioned the locals to follow the right procedure to avoid being in conflict with the law.
Mr Sikaduli has since called on the local residents to stop the activities along the river threatening to bring securing wings to guard the location before the trend goes out of hand.
And head of the southern region mining bureau, Sydney Mwansa has cautioned the residents of implications of mining gold through unacceptable ways that are both injurious to themselves and the environment.
He observes that the locals are panning the debris to collect gold particles using mercury; a chemical he says has extreme toxic effects when it gets into the ecosystem.
He further stated that mining of gold in the midst of the river and along the banks has serious environmental degradation effects on the water body threatening its lifespan and siltation.
Gold deposits have been discovered along the Gwezi River with locals resorting to excavating in the midst of the now dry river to get the mineral which they claim they sell at about K2, 800.00 per gram to prospective buyers.
Meanwhile, Mr Mwansa has cited Sinazongwe, Choma, Zimba, Siavonga and Kalomo as hotspots where illegal mining activities are occurring in Southern province.
He said minerals such as Tantalite, Aquamarine, Gold, Amethyst and now Gold are reported to be on the target by respective local illegal miners in the named districts.
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