PROPAGANDA VS THE LAW: WHO REALLY OWNS ZAMBIA’S MINES?- Saviour Chishimba

PROPAGANDA VS THE LAW: WHO REALLY OWNS ZAMBIA’S MINES? One of the biggest pieces of propaganda being spread today is that President Hakainde Hichilema has “sold Zambia’s mines to foreigners.” To the contrary, the UPND Alliance Government has taken practical measures to put Zambians first by law. Under the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024, artisanal […]

PROPAGANDA VS THE LAW: WHO REALLY OWNS ZAMBIA’S MINES?

One of the biggest pieces of propaganda being spread today is that President Hakainde Hichilema has “sold Zambia’s mines to foreigners.” To the contrary, the UPND Alliance Government has taken practical measures to put Zambians first by law.

Under the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024, artisanal mining can only be undertaken by a Zambian citizen or a cooperative wholly composed of Zambian citizens. Small scale mining is also reserved for citizen owned, citizen influenced, or citizen empowered companies. These protections are not campaign promises, they are provisions of Zambian law that the UPND has enacted.

FACTS

• Artisanal Mining Rights increased from 304 in 2023 to 680 in 2024, a 124% increase.

• 1,372 out of 2,175 mining rights issued in 2024 (63%) involved Zambian ownership or participation.

• Small scale exploration licences increased from 399 to 615, while small scale mining licences increased from 61 to 77, creating more opportunities for citizen participation in the mining sector.

These are not the statistics of a government handing Zambia’s mining sector to foreigners. They point to a deliberate expansion of formal participation by Zambians while maintaining legal protection for citizen owned mining

Let us also be truthful about one important fact. Large scale mining has involved foreign investment for decades, under successive governments (UNIP, MMD and PF). Mining is one of the most capital intensive industries in the world, requiring billions of dollars in finance, advanced technology, and specialised expertise. This did not begin under President Hakainde Hichilema, nor is it unique to the UPND administration.

What has remained constant is that Zambia’s mineral resources belong to the Republic of Zambia, and the law continues to reserve artisanal mining exclusively for Zambians while protecting citizen participation in small scale mining.

Political competition is healthy. Democracy thrives on debate, but democracy also depends on truth. When falsehoods are repeated often enough, they create unnecessary fear, discourage investment, and undermine confidence in our own country.

Facts defeat propaganda. Laws defeat rumours. Truth builds nations.

Zambia Forward. Together in Unity. 

Saviour Chishimba
President
United Progressive People (UPP)
UPND Alliance Partner