• People of North-western Province also need to benefit from their natural resources.
• Mineral Revenue Sharing Mechanism is the way to go.
• Government should quickly put it into consideration.

Save the Environment and People’s Agency (SEPA) says it supports calls by Traditional leaders in North-western Province that 15 percent of proceeds from Mining firms should remain in the region for development.
Agency Chief Executive Officer Mailes Muke told Money FM News that people of North-western Province also need to benefit from their natural resources in order to mitigate the negative impacts arising from mining activities.
Ms. Muke said despite housing three giant mines, people in the Province do not benefit as all they receive is dust, deforestation, and poor road network among other toxic substances.
“We feel this is the way to go. It has been our cry as Civil Society that let the people of North-western Province also benefit from their natural resources. Mineral Revenue Sharing Mechanism is the way to go,” Ms. Muke said.
She added that if the mining firms in the province provide what the traditional leaders are asking for, it will reduce the burden of depending on government for development.
“As SEPA, we feel this is progressive and a good suggestion, which Government should quickly put it into consideration,” she stated.
On Tuesday, Chiefs in North-western Province called on Government to review the Mining Policy to include provisions where 15-percent of proceeds from Mining firms will remain in host Provinces.