OPEN UP GOLD MINING TO MORE LOCALS, SAYS KAVINDELE

By NOEL IYOMBWA GOVERNMENT should open up the gold mining sector to the locals to have as many Zambians as possible participate, former Vice President Enock Kavindele has said. Mr Kavindele said that just like in countries like Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo, the Zambian government should make the sector available to local people. He said in an interview that once the sector was opened to local people the whole country would benefit significantly. Mr Kavindele also advised local people to take interest in gold mining. “Government should open up the gold mining sector so that local people take part in the activities to improve the country’s economy. “This is what they do in Tanzania and DR Congo. There are many small-scale miners involved in mining activities so that the whole country benefits,” he said. The recent spate of gold discoveries in Zambia has necessitated the formulation of a coherent strategy to promote sustainable exploitation of gold for social-economic development. The government is actively expanding Zambia’s mining industry by mandating that Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines – Investment Holdings PLC (ZCCM-IH), a mining consortium drive the gold national agenda. Recently, the government gave artisanal miners gold panning certificates to legalise their alluvial or riverbed gold mining activities. By supplying licensed miners with machinery, equipment, and knowledge about the industry through ZCCM-IH and CGCZ, Zambians are encouraged to participate in Zambia’s local gold mining. The formalising of the gold mining industry will benefit more than Zambia, for it will enable licensed miners and locals to “reap the benefits of the assets under Zambian soil.”