Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) has reaffirmed calls for government to balance its engagement with both small and large-scale players in the mining sector.
Reflecting on the UPND Government’s performance in the mining sector since 2021, ESMAZ President Victor Kalesha observed that the administration has not done enough to unlock the potential of small-scale and gemstone mining.
“I would rate the government as cautiously positive on the large-scale side, but incomplete overall. The UPND government has delivered some wins in reviving and expanding major mines, but it has not yet awakened the sleeping giant of small-scale and gemstone mining,” Mr. Kalesha observed.
Mr. Kalesha noted that government’s focus has largely been on large-scale, foreign-dominated operations, while the local small-scale mining sector, which employs more Zambians, continues to struggle.
“While the creation of a Small-Scale Mining Department at the Ministry of Mines is a step forward, its impact is yet to be felt on the ground,” he said.
He further observed that the issuance of artisanal and small-scale mining licences has so far been concentrated in gold, adding that it remains to be seen whether the model will deliver meaningful benefits for small-scale miners.
“We had a small-scale mining conference, but it did not yield any positive results in empowering small-scale miners as per their desires,” Mr. Kalesha lamented.
Mr. Kalesha, however, acknowledged positive developments in the large-scale mining sector, citing the reopening of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), expansion works at Kansanshi Mining, the sinking of a new shaft at Lubambe Copper Mine, and the dewatering and reopening of 28 Shaft in Luanshya.
“These developments signal renewed investor confidence and give the government a positive scorecard in large-scale mining,” he stated.
He stressed that for the sector to fully perform, both large and small-scale mining must progress together.
“Government should balance its engagement with mining stakeholders. Instead of only engaging the already empowered large-scale mining sector, it needs to engage and listen to the small-scale mining sector’s vision on how they feel the sector should be unlocked and awakened,” Mr. Kalesha emphasized.
