ZAMBIA MUST IMPROVE MINING, SAYS EXPERT

ZAMBIAis facing many challenges in the mining sector because of poor administration and implementation, mining research expert Brian Chirambo has said.

Dr Chirambo said sustainable mining could only be attained through right mining practices, which the country was somehow lacking.

He observed that Zambia could benefit immensely from the production of copper and cobalt in terms of job creation as well as infrastructure development among others.

"The sharp rise in prices of such commodities is encouraging and it is expected that the turnaround in the commodity prices will translate into real economic benefits for the nation."

“But the environment has been negatively affected by the mining activities in the country and many mining communities especially on the Copperbelt are highly degraded and there has been little development in the said areas because the money made from the mines is externalised," he said.

Dr Chirambo added that overreliance on foreign investors had also led to a slow pace of development despite availability of resources.

He further stated that there was serious need for the country to move from just producing raw materials but to also push towards attaining a balance in producing, distributing and consuming its mineral resources.

He said this should be done while considering the need to encourage foreign direct investment in a way that would see local investors also benefit.

Dr Chirambo said sustainable mining would be achieved through investment into renewable sectors such as agriculture and education as well as implementation of good mine practices that foster environmental sustainability.