Government has concluded the training of artisanal miners and issued artisanal mining certificates to 266 cooperatives selected from all provinces across the country.
The media reports that speaking during the graduation ceremony in Solwezi today, Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Paul Kabuswe said over 400 artisanal miners have been intensively trained and given certificates of attendance to go and mine gold in Mufumbwe and Kasempa.
“For the first time in Zambia, you have had a President training you in mining,” Mr Kabuswe said.
Mr Kabuswe added that the process will not end with the issuance of certificates, as every cooperative will be allocated an area to mine from.
The Minister also echoed the Presidential directive of zero tolerance for illegal mining in the country.
“By December1st, we will deploy soldiers to remove all illegal miners. We are not going to reward illegality,” Mr Kabuswe said.
Speaking at the same function, North-Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu expressed happiness with the formalisation of artisanal miners in the province.
Additionally, Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Elliot Kamondo stated that the trained miners are now more than ready to begin mining.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta said the training demonstrates the government’s commitment to formalising mining activities.
“Gold should be harvested for the benefit of your families and the nation at large. Do not go and hide it,” Dr Kabeta urged.
He further advised the miners to practice responsible mining, as they have been trained to do.
In a vote of thanks, Artisanal Miners Representative Kasela Nswana expressed appreciation to the government for the empowerment and pledged that the miners will practice environmentally friendly mining.
