• There reports of illegal operation of mining and mining related activities in Serenje and Mkushi districts
• Zambia Environmental Management Agency in collaboration with other stakeholders undertook compliance monitoring exercises in both districts
• Developers in Serenje district disregarded many conditions

Minister of Green Economy and Environment says reports of illegal operation of mining and mining related activities in Serenje and Mkushi districts have proved to be factual.
In a Statement, Mr. Collins Nzovu said this is after Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) in collaboration with other stakeholders, including the Ministry, undertook compliance monitoring exercises in both districts which involved inspection of facilities whose activities have been reported by members of the public to operate in a manner that is detrimental to the environment.
Mr. Nzovu stated that the findings were that the developers in Serenje district disregarded many conditions that were supposed to enable them operate in an environmentally friendly manner such as the use of charcoal in processing of manganese ores.
“Some of the prominent offences at the Serenje project sites included use of charcoal in processing of manganese ores which has contributed to high levels of deforestation in central province, lack of pollution abatement equipment which contributes to air pollution discharge of effluent into the open environment and lack of adequate personal protective equipment for workers, exposing them to occupational health risks, “he stated.
Mr Nzovu added that in Mkushi, the general observation was that developers of the Project site did not bother to obtain ZEMA approval before commencing manganese mining and related activities.
“The developers translated into operations that are harmful to both human health and the environment. Specifically, we are concerned with the diversion of Kafwa stream without WARMA and ZEMA approval posing a big danger of water pollution to the downstream communities. Further, we have grave concerns of severe and visible water pollution from the tailings dam effluent which contains hydrocarbons. Additionally, during the rainy season these tailings overflow into the Chibefwe stream which is the main source of water for Mkushi town, “he said
Mr. Nzovo said other prominent offences at the Mkushi project sites included the discharge of effluent into the open environment, poor handling of hazardous waste and high levels of land degradation
He called upon all those who have been operating illegally to stop immediately and do what is right before the law visits them.