Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, has called on big mining companies in the country to partner with licensed small-scale miners and engage them to source minerals on their behalf.
Mr Kabuswe said this would not only benefit both parties but would also ease the process of formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining for the government.
He explained that through partnerships with established companies, small scale miners will have access to capital and resources such as equipment.
The minister was speaking during the Inaugural Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Conference held in Lusaka under the theme “Unlocking AS Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
Mr Kabuswe stated that the artisanal and small-scale mining sector has great potential to provide thousands of jobs, adding that the government therefore is focused on ensuring that this is actualised.
He also clarified that the government’s efforts to formalise the sector are not meant to stop small scale mining but rather protect those involved from exploitation, accidents as well as ensure economic benefits at both individual and national level are derived.
“We are not stopping you from mining. All we want is for you to mine safely, legally, formally and with security. We want to make sure that when you mine, you sell at the right price, ” Mr Kabuswe explained.
The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has, to date, issued a total of 1,488 licenses to artisanal and small-scale miners in the country.
And Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, said his ministry has put in place various interventions to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining, among them, facilitating the formation of cooperatives as well as issuance of licenses.
Dr Kabeta has however bemoaned the low productivity in the sector, attributing it to widespread informality.
“The subsector has the potential to contribute more than 10 percent of the mining GDP if properly harnessed. The taxation regime for artisanal and small-scale mining has been simplified but the contribution to tax revenue remains negligible,” he said.
Speaking at the same meeting, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, acknowledged the government’s efforts to empower artisanal and small-scale miners through the formalisation agenda.
Dr Wakiaga indicated that Zambia is leading the way on the African continent in developing the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
Meanwhile, Association of Women in Mining president, Namakau Kaingu, said the association is aware of the benefits of formalising the sector, further pledging support to the process.
Ms Kaingu explained that the association has so far created over 50 cooperatives through outreach activities in rural communities.
You gave them the chance so you partner with them
Mining companies have enough challenges without you adding more
Who even listens to these politicians, and just loose statements like that, that are not even enforceable or compelling by any law. This is lack of seriousness
Just talking and talking but the lives of Zambians are not improving an inch. 4 wasted years. All that has been achieved is dismantling the opposition using very un orthodox methods, just out of fear for PF. Zambians are watching
Hon Kabuswe failed to acknowledge the pivotal part foreigners play in small scale mining. They are found everywhere, bee it, Mwinilunga, Mumbwa or Mukushi. The symbiosis between the foreign mine financier and the artisanal is so well synchronised that if such miner needs cash, a fleet of wheel barrows or a JCB, it only takes a phone call.
The big mining company is answerable to the shareholders, burdening them with artisanal mining will dilute their efficacy!
Artisanal gold mining recovery is a paltry 35%, that figure should be 55+%!
Of late all comments which are well self-moderated before posting are being moderated out as long as they appear not to be in support of government. If its LT doing this, this should stop, if its secret government agencies they should also stop, don’t gag freedom of expression using unorthodox methods