GOLD IS ANSWER TO ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC WOES

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes@SunZambianGOLD mining if well exploited can assist in addressing macroeconomic challenges currently being faced by Zambia.According to a Swedish organisation operating in Zambia called Diakonia Country Director, Geoffrey Chongo, gold mining offered huge opportunities that could stabilise the economy.Mr Chongo expressed optimism that gold mining if well utilised could stabilise the Zambian economy and allow people to do business, resulting to a dignified life.He was speaking during the launch of the Centre for Trade and Policy Development (CPTD) gold mining study in Lusaka yesterday.“Through gold mining people’s lives will improve. We believe if we work together economically, socially and environmental structures things that hinder people from enjoying their rights could be addressed and lives of people would improve,” Mr Chongo said.CTPD Senior Researcher, Webby Banda, said the research was conducted in Rufusa,Mwinilunga and Lusangazi.Mr Banda recommended that Government should establish market centers in remote artisanal and small scale mining areas to facilitate the buying of gold by ZCCM-IH.This, he said, could be done through the ministry of commerce, trades and industry.“Government should also consider designing a sector specific fiscal regime that support the growth of artisanal and small scale mining sector among others,” he said.Meanwhile, Mines and Minerals Minister Development, Richard Musukwa, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that gold benefited the Zambian people.Mr Musukwa said it was for this reason that Government had declared gold as a strategic mineral meant to allow citizens benefit from its exploration.He said this in a speech read on his behalf by the ministry’s Deputy Director, Brighton Kateka.“Government through ZCCM-IH will strive to promote the growth of the artisanal and small scale mining in an effort to create employment opportunities for the locals especially where gold mining is taking place to enhance their economic welfare,” Mr Musukwa said. The Sun