By Isaac Zulu
Central Province permanent secretary Miller Mwanakampwe has said that the UPND government has restored sanity in the mining of manganese in the region.
And Mwanakampwe has parried assertions that the UPND government has embarked on the cancellation of licences for companies engaging in manganese mining with a view to give licences to individuals who are aligned to the UPND.
Speaking in an interview, Mwanakampwe previously there were a lot of illegalities in manganese mining in Central Province, such that companies that had prospecting licences were engaging in mining while those that just possesed processing lincences were also doing the actual mining of manganese.
He said that it was for this reason that the UPND administration thought of addressing this “paradox just after forming government.”
“What was happening previously is that some people were engaging in mining without having relevant documentation. Those with exploration licences were doing, some companies that had processing licences were also doing the actual mining of manganese. And this was happening in Serenje, Mkushi, Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi and other district where we have these mineral resources,” Mwanakampwe said. “There were a lot illegalities. And that is why the UPND administration found it prudent to address this paradox so that sanity prevails in manganese mining. And as we speak today most mining activities in Central Province have been suspended so that people have proper documentation in place. And I can confidently say that we have restored sanity in the mining of manganese.”
He also said that most mining activities were contributing to environmental degradation, saying the issue has since been addressed.
“Some of these mining companies were using charcoal in their processing plants. But not anymore. Again kudos to the minister of Central Province Honourable Credo Nanjuwa and the minister of Green Economy Honourable Collins Nzovu for ensuring that we address the adverse effects of climate change and mining activities that are contributing to environmental degradation are curbed,” Mwanakampwe said.
And Mwanakampwe parried assertions that the UPND government has embarked on the cancellation of licences for companies engaging in manganese mining with a view to give licences to individuals who are aligned to the UPND.
“To start with, UPND members and Patriot Front members are Zambians just like any other person in this country. In the past one person or company would have 20 to 30 prospecting licences for manganese mining. You mean other Zambians could not benefit from the mining sector in this country, except PF members? All Zambians should benefit from these mining activities, provided they have the right documentation at the right time,” said Mwanakampwe. “We should not look at their political affiliations. All Zambians should have a from the national cake.”
