300 mining cooperatives receive artisanal licenses nationwide

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has trained and issued Artisanal licenses to 300 Mining Cooperatives drawn from 9 Provinces of the Country. He has urged those that are still carrying out illegal mining activities to refrain from the vice by getting registered as Artisanal and Small-scale Miners. “We are coming after illegal miners contaminating rivers by using unconventional ways to wash gold,” he said.

Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Minister Njavwa Simutowe said Muchinga Province continued to emerge as an important mining frontier, particularly in gold production in Kanyelele, Kamabwe and Danger Hill demonstrating significant mineral potential, attracting a growing number of Artisanal and Small-scale miners. Mr Simutowe said the training and issuance of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining cooperatives was a great milestone for Muchinga Province to enhance livelihoods of People and enhance responsible management of the natural resources in the Province. “We acknowledge the economic importance of gold mining in the Province and the challenges that have risen from informal mining operations such as unsafe mining practices, Environmental degradation and illegal operations. He said the challenges observed in informal mining do not only threaten the safety of miners but also sustainable development for the Province.