ILLEGAL GOLD EXPORTS PROBED
…State institutes investigations into alleged gold smuggling
GOVERNMENT has instituted investigations into alleged smuggling of gold in Lumwana area in North-Western Province, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said yesterday. This follows revelations that some mining firms in the area were illegally airlifting gold and other precious minerals out of the country.
When contacted for a comment, Mr Chanda said in an interview that a team from his ministry would be deployed to the area to investigate the matter.
Mr Chanda confirmed that Lumwana area was rich in gold but that he was not aware about the alleged smuggling but warned of stern action if anyone was found wanting.
He said Government would not sit idle and allow people to continue stealing from the country and that government would send inspectors to ascertain the illegality allegedly being perpetrated in the area.
“As government we are not aware of gold being airlifted, however, we need to verify and send people to go and counter check whether it’s true,” Mr
Chanda said.
He said Government would ensure that the matter was thoroughly investigated and that those found wanting would be dealt with.
“I wish to clarify that this is a hearsay at the moment. We had similar issue at Kansanshi that unidentified planes were landing and taking gold.
“A government team including defence force personnel was sent to Kansanshi for three months and no such planes were witnessed besides same amount of gold declared by the mine was proven to be the real production,” Mr Chanda said.
Meanwhile, Mineworkers Union of Zambia president Joseph Chewe said in a separate interview that there was need to thoroughly investigate the matter.
Mr Chewe said the union would also go on the ground to ensure that the illegality was probed and identify the perpetrators if any. “What we will do is that we shall be on the ground so that we get all the facts of the matter so that those in such acts are brought to book,” he said.
As government we are not aware of gold being airlifted, however, we need to verify and send people to go and counter check whether it’s true,”
— Mr Chanda.