The Ministry of Mines and minerals Development has revealed that Zambia Exports 35 tons of gold per annum from Kansanshi Mine in north western province alone with a high likelihood of an increase as more gold mines open.
Ministry Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda says in an interview that the ministry is looking to expand gold mining as the country has a lot of the mineral.
Mr. Chanda has cited areas in Eastern Province including Petauke, Rufunsa and Vubwi as all having abundance of gold.
He says the challenge with gold mining in the province is that those that were given mining licenses do not have the capacity to set up mines.
The Permanent Secretary says this has paved way for illegal miners who have taken advantage of the situation and set up illegal mines.
Mr. Chanda says the ministry has therefore engaged ZCCM IH has bought a machine to be stationed in Rufunsa to enable the small-scale miners have the capacity to engage in legal gold mining.
He adds that they have involved the Ministries of Home Affairs to engage with the illegal minors and of commerce to find market for the small scale miners once the legal activities are operationalized.
Zambia Mines 35 tons of gold per annum – Mines Ministry
