MINISTER SAYS NO TO MINING IN LOWER ZAMBEZI
NOmining activities will be allowed in Lower Zambezi as this would have a negative impact on the eco-system, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Jean Kapata has said.
The minister said Government would not listen to any calls for mining activities to actualise in the area because it was aware of the negative impact such activities had.
Ms Kapata in an interview yesterday, said Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) rejected the proposal after undertaking environmental assessment and that was final.
She said Government would not allow the eco-system to be under threat because of selfish interests.
“ZEMA did its environmental assessment after an investor showed interest to undertake mining activities in the area. After its assessment it found out that if mining was allowed then it would have negative impact on the eco-system.
So as Government, we shall go with what ZEMA had indicated. So what I can say is that ZEMA rejected the mining activities and no investor will be allowed in the area.
“As people we need to consider the eco-system in whatever we want to do, we can not just do it for the sake of doing it, no. So this matter is over and we shall not allow anyone there,” she said.
Recently, chief Mphuka of Luangwa appealed to Government to allow a mine to be established in the Lower Zambezi.
Chief Mphuka said Luangwa was underdeveloped and lacks economic activities hence the need for the mine to be set up quickly.
A debate erupted after the Lusaka High Court gave a go ahead to a mining operation in the Lower Zambezi National Park with several people calling for the revocation of the license.
But Chief Mphuka said those calling for the revocation of the mining permit had no understanding of the area.
“I condemn certain chiefs who are saying this mine should not go ahead. It’s not in their chiefdom, the mine is in Senior Chief Mburuma’s chiefdom. These are the people that need to be asked first in Luangwa district,” Chief Mphuka said.
He added that the recent media reports on the wildlife at the mining site were false.