North-Western Province Permanent Secretary, Colonel Grandson Katambi (Retired) has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the exploration of the country’s mineral resources contributes meaningfully to national development.
The media reports that Col Katambi said this is the reason the Government continues to revise mining laws in order to align them with global trends and best practices.
He was speaking during a Provincial Stakeholders Sensitisation Meeting on the new mining laws held in Solwezi.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD) has over the last few years been implementing policy, legal and regulatory reforms in the mining sector,” Col Katambi said.
The Permanent Secretary noted that the establishment of the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) will enhance regulation and monitoring of the mining sector, presenting an opportunity to improve tax revenue collection and curb illegal mining activities.
He further explained that the enactment of the Geological and Mineral Development Act is aimed at accelerating geological mapping and mineral resource exploration as well as promoting the development and growth of artisanal and small-scale mining activities.
Col Katambi added that the new law also provides for the establishment of a fund specifically meant to support artisanal and small-scale miners.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development Principal Geologist, Canisius Chishimba urged small-scale miners to take advantage of the available funds to upscale their operations.
“Through the new law, the Government has provided financial support to enable small-scale miners to expand their businesses,” Mr Chishimba said.
Colonels don’t carry their titles after service. It’s only generals that do
Stop cheating us. Where on earth has development occurred because of exploration… Sorry exploitation? Niye ma election messages Aya?
Mineral exploration to contribute to national development? Just read the internet and see about how Mufulira is light years behind the Swiss town Ruschlickon which developed from Glencore’s ownership of Mufulira mine.
Rüschlikon was built with funds from Zambian Mines.
Just a glimpse: Rüschlikon has a 2% unemployment rate.
Mufulira, our Zambian town, which financed this Swiss town has a 76% rate! Yangu!
What will future generations fall back on do they realise minerals fall under non renewable
As expext thinking of the present with no regard to the future