SMALL-SCALE MINERS URGE INCLUSIVE POLICIES
By NATION REPORTER SMALL scale mining employs 10 times more people than large scale mining but there is need for knowledge gaps that hinder effective and inclusive policy-making to be addressed says, Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia General Secretary, Luneta Kakoma.
And Mr Kakoma has appealed to government to quickly put in place environmental safety measures and training programmes so that people can start mining in safe places.
He said small scale mining could offer millions of marginalised people a sustainable livelihood in Zambia.
Mr Kakoma said the Association was thankful to government for showing support to the small scale miners who died on June 20, 2018 at the Black Mountain.
“We are so grateful to our President Mr Edgar Lungu for showing concern over the accident that happened last month at the popular Black Mountain. This has shown that government has the vision of reducing poverty and vulnerability in communities surrounding mining companies where poverty levels are high,” he said. Mr Kakoma praised Mines Minister Richard Musukwa for implementing programmes in the ministry that supported small scale mining.
He said the ministry had been dormant for a long time, but Mr Musukwa had brought the ministry to what it was supposed to be in terms of programme implementation.
Mr Kakoma said mining is about production turn over to realise profits, so should it be at the black mountain.
He said small scale miners lacked financial access services, to the market rights, information, technology and geological data that would enable them to make the most money while minimising environment impacts.