Illegal Miners Have Been Warned

District Commissioner of Chikanta, Peter Mwiinde, warns those who are carrying out illegal mining in the area to stop immediately. Threats of arrest and prosecution followed this statement, curtailing the freedom of such individuals. 

This warning came during the Mwenda Rural Development Trust and stakeholders meeting at Chikanta today. 

Mwiinde said that it was a shame that individuals had to stoop to the the level of illegal activity within the district. There is a legal procedure which is in accordance to the mineral act of Zambia for those who wish to carry out mining in the area. 

Illegal mining within Zambia started as a result of widespread poverty and lack of alternative income-earning opportunities and has been an ongoing issue for a number of years. 

There has been talk of nationalising the mines, which will allow the government to have greater control over the industry, enabling them to have increased surveillance on these mines which may decrease illegal activity. Economists are urging Lusaka to tread carefully on the matter due to the negative financial implications this may have for the country. 

Zambia is home to the world’s highest-grade deposits of copper and is ranked 7th largest copper producer in the world.