LUSAKA - Government has granted 975 artisanal and small-scale mining licences to Zambians as part of efforts to formalise the subsector and increase local participation in the mining industry.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Brenda Tambatamba disclosed the figures in Parliament during a ministerial statement on developments in the mining sector.
Tambatamba said more than 2,000 artisanal miners from over 900 cooperatives had also been trained in responsible mining practices.
The training covered occupational health and safety, environmental management and financial literacy, and was conducted in Solwezi, Kasempa, Mpika, Choma and Kabwe districts.
She said the interventions are intended to strengthen the technical and entrepreneurial capacity of local miners, improve compliance with mining regulations and support their transition into formal and sustainable mining operations.
Meanwhile, Tambatamba revealed that Government is formulating Critical Minerals Regulations aimed at promoting local value addition and discouraging the export of raw minerals.
She said the objective is to move beyond the extraction and export of unprocessed minerals towards domestic processing and manufacturing, creating jobs, expanding business opportunities and retaining more economic value within Zambia.
Tambatamba said growing global demand for critical minerals presents an opportunity for Zambia to strengthen its position in the global minerals value chain.
To support this ambition, Government has developed a National Critical Skills List to align skills development with the country's industrialisation objectives.
She further disclosed that since 2021, US$12.1 billion in mining investments have been committed or are under implementation across major projects, including Mopani, Konkola, Kansanshi, Lumwana, Lubambe, Luanshya, Mingomba and Enterprise Nickel Mine.
The Minister also said Government has operationalised the Minerals Regulation Commission and the Mining Appeals Tribunal to strengthen industry regulation and dispute resolution. She reported that 1,060 licences had been granted and 39 cases handled, respectively.
Tambatamba said the mining sector remains a strategic pillar of Zambia's economy, adding that Government is committed to building a productive, competitive and sustainable industry.
Source: Kalemba