The Zambian government has begun allocating 89 mining tenements at Kikonge Gold Mine in Mufumbwe District as part of efforts to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining and promote legal and orderly operations.
The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development said the exercise was intended to organise mining activities and provide cooperatives with opportunities to participate in the formal mining sector.
Mulolwa Mulolwa, the Minerals Regulation Commission’s Directorate of Mining and Non-Mining Rights Licensing Manager for Surveying, confirmed the development in a statement.
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He said the exercise, which had been delayed by flooding and poor road access, had resumed following improvements to road infrastructure.
“The exercise is currently at over 40 percent completion and the team will continue in the coming days to ensure the allocation process progresses towards completion,” Mulolwa said.
He said the allocation was being conducted under the ministry’s formalisation programme, which seeks to promote safe and legal mining, fair trade, peace and security at mining sites.
Mulolwa warned that violence and illicit activities would not be tolerated at mining sites, adding that the government was committed to ensuring responsible and orderly mining operations.
“The allocation of the 89 tenements is expected to strengthen formalisation by providing cooperatives with opportunities to operate within the formal mining sector,” he said.
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