Emeralds body backs state on idle mines

THE Emerald Production Watch of Zambia (EPWZ) has supported Government’s stance to repossess dormant mines.

EPWZ President Musa Kafimbwa said investors in mining and other sectors of the economy were expected to bring investment to develop and not to keep their areas idle.

Mr Kafimbwa said in an interview in Kitwe that his association was in full support of the directive by Mines and Mineral Development Minister Richard Musukwa to revoke the licenses for idle mines.

“We cannot have investors coming into our country and obtain mining rights and yet they are not developing the areas they obtain licenses for. It is in this vein that we support the Mines Minister’s statement to revoke licenses of idle mines.

“It is also in this vein that we would like to appeal to the Minister to suspend issuance of new mining rights to investors and instead link them up with the Zambians who own mining rights to go into joint ventures,’’ Mr Kafimbwa said.

He said there were a number of foreign investors in the gemstone sector holding on to licences without developing their areas, hence the need to check them.

“What’s the purpose of coming in as an investor if you can’t develop. We would also like to invite local and foreign investors not to shy away from this gemstone sector.

“The gemstone sector is a positive revenue generating venture that can contribute effectively to the economy of this country if handled properly,’’ he said.

He said his association wanted to see the gemstone sector awakened and contribute to the economy of the country.