ILLEGAL TIN MINERS INVADE ZIMBA

THE directive by Government to police in Zimba to curb the rampant illegal mining of tin and gold has fallen on deaf hears, it has been learnt.

Daily Nation had learnt that the illegal mining of the minerals in Zimba was escalating because the police had failed to institute patrols in the area.

It is believed that the police had not shown seriousness to arrest unscrupulous individuals who were depleting the resources without any permits from Government.

Daled Mine Limited (DML) proprietor Edward Simukonda said in an interview yesterday he was worried that the country would continue losing huge sums of money to illegal activities in the area.

Mr Simukonda said the plunder had continued because the police in the area were sleeping.

He said police should move in and stop the illegalities.

Mr Simukonda said people who engaged in illegal activities should not be tolerated.

“After the directive which the minister gave recently nothing has been done by the police. Our police in the area are sleeping. They are not helping the country.

Let the minister engage the police so that there can be seriousness in this matter because the country is losing out a lot,” he said.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa recently directed the police in the area to arrest illegal miners because they were depriving Government of revenue.

Mr Musukwa’s directive followed revelations that Zambia was losing about US$400 million from the illegal mining of tin in Zimba.

“I have directed the police to arrest all those involved in illegal mining of tin in Zimba district with immediate effect.

We cannot continue looking for resources when we already have resources that can help us to realise revenue which is being abused and collected by selfish people,” Mr Musukwa said.

He said there were many foreigners involved in illegal exploration of tin, warning that they would face the wrath of law.

Mr Musukwa said Government would not allow unscrupulous individuals to continue exploiting minerals, depriving Zambians of benefits from the resources that the country was gifted with.

“Whether they are Zambians or foreigners exploiting our resources illegally they will be dealt with. I have directed the police to ensure that they are arrested,” he said.