Govt gets report over idle mining licences

A COMMITTEE reviewing dormant mining licences earmarked for revocation has submitted its report to Government for action.

Mines and Mineral Development Ministry Permanent Secretary, Barnaby Mulenga who confirmed receipt of the report said he was still studying the report before appropriate action could be taken.

Mr Mulenga said he has since reviewed about 814 licences.

“Yes we have just received that report and we are looking at it before making a final decision,” he said.

Recently, the ministry published a notice on Government intentions to cancel dormant mining licences.

Licence holders were given an opportunity to show cause on why the ministry should not cancel the dormant licences.

He said Government would not hesitate to cancel licences of holders who did not give convincing responses.

"After running an advert in the print media we had given a grace period for dormant licence holders in which to respond and those that will not give convincing reasons will have their licences cancelled," Mr Mulenga said.

"On 12th January 2020, some licences were cancelled while some licence holders were warned and those that were cautioned were given chance to explain themselves," Mr Mulenga said.

Mr Mulenga said Government was keen to see that the mining sector developed as opposed to holding licences for speculation.

"The move of cancellation of dormant licenses is not aimed at pushing anyone but just to ensure that nobody holds the licence for speculation because it does not help any country," he said.

Mr Mulenga has appealed to licence holders to comply with the conditions of their licences.