Revoke licences for idle mines - MP
“The licence holder is not doing anything at the site and this has attracted a number of illegal miners who are now exploiting lead illegally. So for me I think the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development must act swiftly and revoke the licence because there is no seriousness from the licence holder. And if nothing is done as soon as possible then this lawlessness will continue in the area,”
THE Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development must immediately revoke Jubilee Metals Group mining licence in Kabwe because the inactiveness has led to rampant illegal lead mining, Government Deputy Chief Whip Tutwa Ngulube has said.
In 2018, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development announced that the mining licence for Jubilee Metals Group was reinstated.
In a previous announcement BMR Group (BMR) reported that they received a letter from the Mining and Cadaster Department of Zambia terminating, with immediate effect, the aforementioned mining right in respect of BMR’s Kabwe operation.
BMR also stated that the letter received on February 7, 2018 indicated that BMR had 30 days to exercise its right of appeal.
This reinstatement of the mining licences therefore paved the way for Jubilee in partnership with BMR to commence mining.
But Mr Ngulube who is Kabwe Central Member of Parliament said the mining company was inactive which had attracted illegal mining in the area.
He said in an exclusive interview yesterday, it was prudent Government revoked the mining licence so that a serious investor could be engaged.
“The country is losing revenue because of the illegal mining in the area, it is important that the mining licence is revoked to pave way for a serious investor,” he said.
The rampant illegal mining, Mr Ngulube said, would be curbed once a serious investor was engaged.
“The licence holder is not doing anything at the site and this has attracted a number of illegal miners who are now exploiting lead illegally. So for me I think the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development must act swiftly and revoke the licence because there is no seriousness from the licence holder. And if nothing is done as soon as possible then this lawlessness will continue in the area,” Mr Ngulube said.
Mr Ngulube however said illegal miners were now abusing children to illegally mine lead, stating that this posed danger to the health of the children. He said the lawlessness from the illegal miners had been going on for a long time now which needed to be addressed.
Mr Ngulube said he was aware that the Ministry of Labour was investigating the matter but it should be tackled immediately to stop the lawlessness.
“Lead is very dangerous especially to young children, lead has long life effects, therefore, it should be addressed as soon as possible and those found wanting must be dealt with,” Mr Ngulube said.