Illegal gold mining worries govt

By KALOBWE BWALYA THE continuous illegal mining of Gold and Copper in Nyimba district in Easthern Province has escalated, minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma told parliament yesterday.

Mr Yaluma said Government is concerned that despite the suspension of mining licences, people have continued with illegal mining and explorations, particularly in gold and other precious stones.

Mr Yaluma said the local communities were not benefiting from the minerals that were being exploited by some foreigners conducting illegal mining across the country.

Mr Yaluma said his ministry will soon send people to Nyimba district to go and carry explorations for all the minerals that are in the area so that illegal mining can be stopped.

"Last week I suspended all mining operations and licences pertaining with gold illegal mining as in Vubwi, Luano, Rufunsa among other areas and the suspension is still in place until all the areas are cleaned up," said Mr Yaluma.

Meanwhile, Mr Yaluma said Government is aware of limestone deposit and the composition of marble present in Nyimba. He said despite the presence of these minerals Government had no plans to construct a cement plant until Geological investigations that were underway are concluded to determine such as size of deposit and whether the carbonate rocks had the right chemical deposition ideal for cement manufacturing.

The minister was responding to Nyimba Member of Parliament Olipa Phiri who wanted to know whether government had any plans to facilitate the construction of a cement plant in the constituency.

He said the exploration to establish quality and quantity of limestone deposit had not been concluded, therefore it can not facilitate the construction.

" These is no specific plant to establish cement plant in Nyimba and that can only be determined after Geological investigations.