Mumbwa gold centre ready for commissioning as Rufunsa facility nears completion

Zambian government says it has completed construction of the Mumbwa Gold Marketing Centre, with the facility now ready for commissioning as part of efforts to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining activities. In a related development, government said it has also signed an agreement with Mutty Construction Company for the construction of the Rufunsa Mineral Marketing Centre at a cost of K9,324,244.12. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development public relations unit on Wednesday, contractor Tonlex Investments Limited confirmed completion of the Mumbwa facility to a team of experts who inspected the site ahead of the official handover.

The Ministry said the centre would provide a structured and regulated platform for artisanal and small-scale miners to sell gold, thereby protecting them from exploitation. “The centre will provide a platform for artisanal and small-scale miners to sell gold in a structured and regulated environment, protecting them from exploitation. This initiative is part of Government’s efforts to formalise the mining sector and enhance transparency in mineral trading, with similar gold marketing centres being constructed across the country,” the statement read.

The inspection team comprised officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development, the Mineral Regulation Commission and the Zambia Revenue Authority. Meanwhile, construction of the Rufunsa Mineral Marketing Centre has reportedly reached 70 percent completion, with works expected to be finalised by the end of May 2026. Site Supervisor, Joe Banda, said progress across various components of the project remained steady.

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Chiluba Sachelo, Principal Mining Engineer under the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Department, expressed satisfaction with the pace of works, noting that once operational, the facility would support fair trade for gold produced by small-scale miners. Sachelo added that the centre would incorporate key components of the mineral value chain, further strengthening transparency and efficiency in gold marketing. Rufunsa District is said to currently have 53 trained and licensed cooperatives with a minimum combined membership of 500 miners.

The district is also home to about five gold mining sites, including Kasalanga, Elije and Gold Hunters. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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