By Chinoyi Chipulu
Mining expert Godfrey Luchele has urged the government to empower small scale miners before considering constituting a team to curb illegal mining in some parts of the country.
Recently, President Hakainde Hichilema announced that the government was considering constituting a team that would help to end illegal mining.
But speaking in an interview yesterday, Luchele said the increase in illegal mining, was as a result of the government’s reluctance to empower small-scale miners, contrary to what it promised the people during campaigns.
He said despite the government’s pronouncement to ensure that small-scale miners were empowered, they had failed to do so, especially with initiatives such as giving them knowledge and equipment.
“Pout the plight of these miners first. It’s so unfortunate that the small scale miners in Chingola working at OB 16 dump have been stopped from operating from there, a move which has led to protests by the affected small scale miners. These people should be empowered because this is what they do to earn a living,” he said.
Luchele also said the focus had only been on large scale mining and investors, hence disadvantaging small -Scale miners.
“This is a problem which was identified before this government was formed and this government promised to protect and help harness the production and operations in these dumps and pits as a way of empowering the miners,” Luchele said. “We cannot continue entrusting everything in the hands of investors, we need to support and find ways of giving necessary education, equipments and financial support to the small scale miners.”
He said if the government did not have the means of growing shares in the country’s mines, shares could be deposited in local Zambians as opposed to foreigners.
“It’s so sad that even small things like dump sites and pits cannot be put in the hands of local people.This privatisation attitudes is putting our youths in destitute,” said Luchele.
