By Angela Moonga
Government says over 500 foreign nationals have been apprehended by the Department of Immigration for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities.
And the Ministry of Home Affairs says it has intensified law enforcement efforts and strengthened surveillance measures to curtail the active involvement of non-Zambians in illegal gold mining activities.
In a statement yesterday, principal public relations officer Mwala Kalaluka stated that the operations were targeted countrywide from February this year to date.
Kalaluka stated that between June 4 and August 1, 2025, Immigration launched targeted operations in Mufumbwe district of the North-Western Province and a total of 368 foreign illegal gold miners were apprehended.
Among those apprehended Tanzanians 314, Congolese 22, Mozambicans 10, Zimbabweans 10, Burundians 2, Chinese 2, Indians 2, Somalians 2, Malawians 1, Nigerian 1, Senegalese 1, and Angolan 1.
Kalaluka stated that these 368 individuals were apprehended for breaching the terms and conditions of their immigration status in the country, as none of them were licensed to undertake mining activities in Zambia, and their actions constituted a clear violation of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.
He explained that while some of the offenders had entered the country legally as ordinary visitors, they were not authorised to engage in any form of employment or business activity, particularly illegal gold mining.
“Among them were refugees, specifically Congolese and Burundian, who were found outside designated refugee settlements without valid gate passes authorising their movement. All the 366 prohibited immigrants were detained, and a series of enforcement measures were undertaken in line with the provisions of the law,” Kalaluka stated.
He stated that a total of 35 individuals were prosecuted, 30 of whom were subsequently convicted.
Kalaluka further stated that 159 individuals were issued with temporary permits, which resulted in the collection of revenue amounting to K3,816,000.
“These individuals have since been blacklisted. Further, 126 individuals were physically removed from the country through various border controls to ensure their immediate departure and prevent their continued involvement in illegal activities. Furthermore, 15 refugees were relocated to the refugee settlements. In addition, 68 are still detained,” Kalaluka stated.
He stated that a total of 25 gold detectors were confiscated during the Mufumbwe targeted operations.
Kalaluka explained that these devices, which were commonly used in illegal gold mining activities, were seized as part of the Department’s efforts to disrupt the tools and resources enabling such unlawful practices.
Meanwhile, Kalaluka stated that on May 11, 2025, the Immigration in Mpika, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) conducted an operation at Kanyelele Mine, which resulted in the apprehension of six Somali nationals engaged in illegal mining.
He stated that the individuals were prosecuted and convicted for engaging in work without the necessary permits.
“Additionally, on July 10, 2025, the Mpika Immigration Office carried out another joint operation at Kamabwe Mine in Chief Mukungule’s area, where one Kenyan national was apprehended. The individual was charged and convicted for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of an employment permit,” Kalaluka stated.
He stated that between February 19 and May 16, 2025, the Mumbwa Immigration office conducted five separate operations at Luili Mine in Mumbwa district.
Kalaluka stated that the operations led to the apprehension of four Somali refugees, five Tanzanian nationals, and two Malawian nationals for offences including residing in a place other than the prescribed area of residence, illegal entry into Zambia, and unlawful presence in the country.
He stated that on June 14, 2025, an operation targeting illegal mining activities in Vubwi led to the apprehension of 68 individuals.
“Of these, only four were foreign nationals involved in illegal mining; three Mozambicans and one Zimbabwean,” Kalaluka stated. “The Department of Immigration has since strengthened surveillance and monitoring activities along commonly used routes, focusing on intercepting foreign nationals with inconsistent or suspicious purposes for visiting Zambia, as well as identifying the movement of mining equipment such as metal detectors, picks, and hoes. This targeted approach has already begun to yield tangible results.”
