IT is high time the Government puts its foot down and totally bans illegal mining activities in the country, Mine Expert Mooya Lumamba has emphasized.
Government in collaboration with various stakeholders is still undertaking a rescue search for the trapped miners at Kasenseli copper mines on the Copperbelt where more than 30 mines are trapped.
Mr. Lumamba who is former Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary told The Scoop that illegal mining activities should be taken seriously and stopped at all costs.
He observed that the mushrooming of processing plants especially on the Copperbelt had also contributed to illegal mining activities hence the need to find an effective strategy to totally ban illegal mining not only around Kasenseli but across the country.
“Illegal mining is illegal mining, it should never take place in any form. looking at the recent tragedy on the Copperbelt where the rescue search exercise is still underway, it is high time that the Government just put its food down and ensures that illegal mining is totally banned across the country because this activity equals stealing,” Mr. Lumamba said.
He said that in an effort to curb illegal mining, the Government should stay focused and ensure proper closures and security of all closed mines.
He said that activities by mostly scavengers who classify themselves as small scale miners when they are not should be completely banned across the country.
He said that there is a need for distinguishing between serious small-scale miners who had the capacity and potential to contribute to job creation and the scavengers whose activities are illegal and need to be banned.
He further said that ensuring mine Safety is very critical as it helps save lives and prevents accidents.
“Mining underground could be very dangerous, personally having spent a good number of years working underground there are times with adequate machinery that an accident could occur, what more for illegal mining where even machinery is not available to support and ensure safe operations? Risks are very high.it is critical that as a country we learn from the Copperbelt tragedy without politicizing anything and just ban all forms or illegalities effectively,” he added.