State to review Zambezi Resources mining licence
GOVERNMENT will review the licence granted to Zambezi Resources Limited to mine in the lower Zambezi national park, Minister of Tourism and Art Ronald Chitotela has said.
And the World Wildlife Fund ( WWF) warned that establishing an open pit mine in the lower Zambezi national park would have far-reaching economic, social, and environmental consequences on the Lower Zambezi ecosystem.
Mr Chitotela said the ministry would look into the court ruling and the expiring of the environmental impact assessment which were key to asserting the way forward of the matter.
“According to Regulation 30 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 1997 provides that if, following the preparation of a project brief or environmental impact assessment, an authorization licence, permit or permission issued but no land preparation or construction work has started within three years, then the developer must re-register with the authorizing agency of intention to develop,” he said.
He said the environmental protection was a must because climate change had an adverse effect not only on human lives but nature and wildlife.
Meanwhile, WWF country director Nachilala Nkombo in a statement said her organisation was deeply disappointed by the High Court ruling that allowed Zambezi Resources Limited to proceed with the proposed establishment of an open pit mine at Kangaluwi site in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
She appealed to Government to reconsider its decision on the mine considering the Social, Economic and Environmental Consequences the court ruling was going to have on the ecosystem in the lower Zambezi national park.
“We appeal to the Government of the Republic of Zambia that immediate action is required to safeguard Lower Zambezi National Park, a key natural asset and urges government to cancel the mining licence and halt any attempts by the developer to move on site,’’ she stated.
Ms. Nkombo stated that the Lower Zambezi National Park is one of four national parks that generate up to 96% of Zambia’s non-consumptive wildlife tourism revenues and therefore it must be protected.
The mine is expected to cover about 980 km square, which was about 25 percent of the park and was estimated that more than 50 percent of the national park will be lost to mining operations by the Zambezi resources limited.
The Lower Zambezi National Park was established in 1983 to conserve biodiversity, including iconic and rare wildlife, forest, and fresh water species that also ensure ecosystem function in the Rufunsa, Chakwenga and Chongwe River watersheds.
Last week the Lusaka High Court lifted the stay of execution granted against the opening of a mining project in the lower Zambezi national park.
This means that the Kangaluwi mining project owned by Zambezi Resources of Australia would now start turning the Lower Zambezi national park into an open pit mine.