Gemstone miners to hold indaba with RB

The Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) says it would meet President Rupiah Banda for discussion on developing the gemstone industry.

ESMAZ General Secretary Victor Kalesha told ZANIS in an interview that his association was happy with government’s positive response to discuss the matter saying it the State was willing to give audience to the gemstone miners.

Mr. Kalesha said his association would present the proposed development plan during the discussion to be held with the republican President.

Mr. Kalesha said ESMAZ was hoping that government would make available revolving funds that would enable the gemstone small-scale miners’ access funds to acquire equipment, among other things.

He added that there was also need to initiate pilot projects that would help develop the gemstone mining sector since the 30 million Euro loan facility meant for infrastructure development projects in the gemstone mining sector was last year suspended by the European Union.

Mr. Kalesha said the money had already been channeled to other developmental projects hence was not possible to recover the loan facility.

Mr. Kalesha has also urged Zambians with the resources to invest in gemstone mining sector saying it had the potential for growth and profitability.

The gemstone miners have for a long time been calling on the government to consider investing in the gemstone mining sector which is currently faced with financial challenges among other things.

ZANIS/MP/ENDS/MM