Govt commits to enabling environment for artisanal miners to formalize and grow

By Francis Chipalo Central Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Milner Mwanakampwe says the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining – ASM sub-sector presents a significant opportunity to promote citizen economic empowerment in Zambia. Speaking at the official opening of Phase Five of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Training Programme in Kabwe, Dr. Mwanakampwe said young people need sustainable […]

By Francis Chipalo

Central Province Permanent Secretary Dr. Milner Mwanakampwe says the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining – ASM sub-sector presents a significant opportunity to promote citizen economic empowerment in Zambia.

Speaking at the official opening of Phase Five of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Training Programme in Kabwe, Dr. Mwanakampwe said young people need sustainable opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and skills development which ASM has the potential to provide.

“This is why the New Dawn Government has prioritised the development of the subsector, which we believe can become a major driver of economic transformation,”he said.

Dr. Mwanakampwe challenged stakeholders to begin viewing artisanal and small-scale miners not merely as people extracting minerals, but as entrepreneurs and important participants in Zambia’s mineral economy.

“Government’s responsibility is to create an enabling environment in which ASM enterprises can grow, formalise their operations, access appropriate technology and finance, participate in legitimate mineral markets and contribute meaningfully to the national economy,”he stated.
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The PS noted that Zambia’s mineral wealth belongs to the nation and its responsible development requires the participation of all stakeholders.

“This training programme provides an opportunity to build on Central Province’s rich mining heritage and position the province for a new chapter of responsible mineral development,” Dr. Mwanakampwe said.

He called on stakeholders to work together to ensure that the ASM subsector becomes a stronger contributor to local development, economic transformation and national prosperity.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Director for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Billy Chewe, said the Ministry will continue championing an ASM subsector that is legal, safe, formal, productive, environmentally responsible and economically empowering.

Chewe urged participants to make the most of the training and become ambassadors of legal, safe, formal and responsible mining in their respective communities.

This is contained in a statement issued by Lucy Shawa, Public Relations Officer Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development.
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