By Lumbiwe Mwanza
ZAMBIA possesses significant potential for economic growth through its mining sector therefore all mineral discoveries such as Sugilite should be well harnessed for legal extraction, says Governance activist Maurice Malambo.
Mr. Malambo told The Scoop that Sugilite extraction had great potential to contribute to economic growth if licences were given to the artisanal miners who in turn could pay rightful taxes.
He said that a country that was well endowed with mineral resources should not entirely depend on copper production but also other minerals that may not even be on the list for mineral exportation.
He said that the extraction of Sugilite could benefit the country hence the need for the Government to quickly stop all illegal mining activities.
He said that Zambia needed to do more in terms of having geological mapping to identify all other minerals that could be explored for export and in turn grow the economy.
He said that the Government should not relent in looking at ways of helping artisanal miners, providing mining licences is key and ensuring that all miners were paying the much-needed taxes.
“By prioritizing full ownership of the mining industry, capitalizing on mineral discoveries like Kasenseli Gold Mine, Sugilite, emeralds, and manganese can accelerate Zambia’s rate of fostering economic growth and strengthen the exchange rate of the Kwacha,” Mr. Malambo said.
He said that granting ownership of the mining sector to Zambian entities would ensure that the majority of profits and benefits remained within the country.
