Stiffen law on illegal gold mining, chief advises

The chiefdom and other areas in Chama and Mafinga have signs of gold and other minerals therefore we appeal to Government to step up the exploration and bring in serious investors to start mining of these minerals.

GOVERNMENT should stiffen laws on illegal mining activities to protect the natural resources, Chief Mulilo of Chama has said.

Chief Mulilo said illegal mining of gold and other minerals was rife in his chiefdom hence the need for Government to stiffen laws for the perpetrators.

He said the government should also step up explorations for other minerals in the area.

Chief Mulilo said his chiefdom was blessed with precious stones and therefore,

Government should map the area to attract potential investors.

"The chiefdom and other areas in Chama and Mafinga have signs of gold and other minerals therefore we appeal to Government to step up the exploration and bring in serious investors to start mining of these minerals," he said.

He said mining gold could overturn the economic landscape of the country hence the need to treat it as a matter of urgency.

Chief Mulilo said Zambia was blessed with minerals in almost all parts of the country and that there was need to attract serious investors to start mining the resources.

He said the natural resources Zambia was blessed with could create the much needed employment and turn round the economic fortunes of the country.

Chief Mulilo said his area had been attracting investors including Chinese, hence the need to map the area to allow for serious and legal activities.

He also suggested that Government should monitor activities of foreign firms engaged in explorations as some of them could have started mining.

Chief Mulilo appealed to Government to engage traditional leaders so that they were fully aware of the activities of companies coming to their areas.