NZOVU WARNS MINING COMPANIES

By Jessica Mwansa

WE will continue to monitor mining activities across the country to ensure that everyone is complying with the law and other laid down procedures, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Eng. Collins Nzovu said he will continue conducting inspections in the districts just to ensure that investors coming to invest in mining in the country followed the laid down rules.

He said it was disappointing that some investors failed to follow the laid down procedures and rules when they wanted to invest in the country adding that his ministry and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) will monitor compliance for the approved projects.

 “We will continue inspecting and monitoring districts just to ensure the investors are compliant with the laid down rules because what is happening in the mining industries cannot be tolerated in their countries, yet they do not apply the same standards in Zambia. Investors coming into the country should apply the same safety and environmental standards they apply in their countries when undertaking development projects.

“My ministry and ZEMA will monitor all the projects that have been approved and we will ensure that we identify all the illegal mining activities especially in the protected areas. Mining activities that will be found operating in conditions that are not environmentally-friendly and safe for the workers will have their operating licenses revoked,” Mr. Nzovu said.

He said Zambia was a party to the Minamata Convention whose objective was to protect human health and the environment from exposure to mercury.

“Processing plants that will be found using mercury and cyanide, which are harmful to human health and the environment, will be brought to the book because both mercury and cyanide are harmful to human health and the environment, and their use is controlled and regulated by ZEMA.

“Pollution from mining activities remains one of the biggest dangers to the environment as it uses dangerous chemicals. The Government has done enough talking and it is now time to act. The mining facilities need to deal with dust by employing appropriate suppression methods. Otherwise, they risk endangering human health,” he said.

He said all processing and mining plants found operating contrary to the requirements of the law will be dealt with accordingly.

“All the processing and mining plants that will be found operating against the requirements of the Act will be dealt with. Furthermore, the Government is working to ensure that the necessary measures are put in place so that mining activities operate in a proper manner,” he said.