GOVT COMMITS TO TURNING THE AROUND MINING SECTOR

By Lumbiwe Mwanza

GOVERNMENT remains resolute towards improving the mining sector through policy formulation that will encourage more local investments, Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe has said.

Zambia’s ambition is to increase the country’s copper production to three million tonnes per year.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Kabuswe observed that reaching this target would require a holistic economic vision that extended beyond mining policy appraisal.

He said that most significantly, there was a need to articulate a plan for energy generation that both supported the industry and national electrification targets for access for the rural population as well as map the country for all critical mineral deposits.

He said that consultation with industry stakeholders will continue with the view to ensure that more Zambians made investments in the sector.

He said that the Government would continue looking at ways of ensuring that implemented policies aimed at attracting investments were effectively implemented for the benefit of the locals in the sector.

He further emphasized that the Government will never allow illegal mining which he said hindered the sector from adequately contributing to economic growth.

“We have seen an outbreak of minerals in the country. There is gold, the sugilite among others. All these minerals should be mined legally and that should mean that procedures need to be followed. It is important to understand that illegal mining does not only apply for gold or for sugilite but for all minerals. Therefore, no illegal mining activity involving any mineral will be tolerated,” Mr. Kabuswe said.

He said that illegal mining had necessitated the regulation reforms in the sector which he said his ministry was already making strides to set up.

He said that the Government’s drive in attracting investment in the mining sector remained vital for the growth of the sector.