MIDDLEMEN AFFECTING SMALL SCALE MINERS

By NOEL IYOMBWA

THE ACP- European Union Development Minerals in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines says its assessment has established that artisanal and small-scale miners do not have access to the market due to increased middlemen who mostly undercoat prices.

Speaking at the just ended Copperbelt Mining Industrial Networking Enterprise in Kitwe ACP- European Union Development Minerals Programme Country Coordinator Simukali Mulongwe commended the Government for the strides so far made in the formalization of the artisanal and small-scale mining in the country.

Mr. Mulongwe said the move will enable ASMEs to have easy access to the mineral market.

He added that under the Development Minerals Programme, hundreds of small-scale miners and artisanal had been empowered with necessary skills and requirements that will enable them to achieve better livelihoods.

“We commend the Zambian Government for the effects made so far in the formalization of artisanal and small-scale mining in the country, the move he said will enable ASMEs to have easy access to the mineral market.

“Under the Development Minerals Programme, hundreds of small-scale miners and artisanal miners had been empowered with necessary skills and requirements that will enable them to achieve better livelihoods,” he said.

He said this will be done through higher employment, improved business environment, or market and formalization of their operations as it was being done by the ministry of mines currently.