SECRET MINES EXPOSED

…Lower Zambezi in mining scandal as suspected tourism operators mining and secretly exporting minerals

A SCAM has been exposed where some tourism operators in the Zambezi Lower National Park are allegedly illegally mining and secretly exporting rich minerals from the country using small planes.

The Luangwa Establishment, local Non-Governmental Organization says the same people have been sponsoring some outspoken Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to pressure government not to allow the establishment of an open pit mine in the Lower Zambezi.

Establishment chairperson Joseph Felemenga said in an interview that it’s now clear why some people are against the proposed Kangaluwi open- pit copper mine project even when they know that the project will not affect the wild animals in any way.

“The reason they don’t want the mine is because they are beneftiting from illegal mining taking place in the park,” he said.

He said the people of the area and their traditional leadership are aware that minerals are being illegally airlifted out of the country by some foreign crooks.

Mr Felemenga said despite those against the mine project in the park knowing that the actual mining will not take part in the whole of Lower Zambezi, they have continued opposing the project without any varied reasons.

He said the National Park has a land area of 4, 092 square kilometres and it is over 40km from the Zambezi River inwards, adding that animals are over 50km away from the proposed mine site hence wildlife will still remain with abundant land to roam and graze from.

Mr Felemenga said government should take keen interest in the issue of illegal mining in and around the Lower Zambezi National Park as the country is losing a lot of minerals through these illegal activities by some tour operators.