Foreigners looting our mineral resources

Dear Editor, MAY I be allowed to say something on the government’s move to suspend mining operations at Kasenselei Gold Mines. I understand that the Zambia Army and other security wings are set to move in to protect the gold sites.

Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa announced that Cabinet has resolved that all operations at Kasenseli gold mine be suspended.

Mr Musukwa said that following Government’s declaration of gold as a strategic reserve, the Zambia Army and Zambia National Service will be deployed to provide security at the mine.

We should prevent going the way of Zimbabwe. Who holds a mining licence in that place? We need proper guidelines in the gold mining sector.

Let us ensure our local people are not defrauded or kicked off their mining sites. Gold is a very tempting mineral that makes man do strange things just to acquire it. There’s something dysfunctional about some key institutions. We have IDC, university departments teaching earth sciences, we have had a business school for nearly 40 years and this is all we can do.

North-Western Province is key to the eco-system that supports the Zambezi River, a key river in the hydro-power industry.

It’s not a place to handle like what I’m seeing now.

I pray that the security personnel will behave with professionalism as they undertake this important assignment. Let the country benefit from the few resources that it has been given. We have had copper and now we have gold, diamonds and cannabis. With all these blessings which God has given to use, surely we can make good use of them. It is just a matter of planning and marketing. God Bless Zambia GIDEON ZIBA.