Govt moves to establish national super cooperative structure to enhance support for small-scale miners

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has announced plans to establish a national super cooperative structure specifically for Zambia’s gold-rich mining areas.

This model will bring together chairpersons of existing mining cooperatives in each gold-producing region, creating an organized framework to enhance government support for artisanal and small-scale miners.

Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Shamwinda Tembo, said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday.

Mines Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta explained that the gold-focused super cooperative system will improve coordination, expand training programs, and facilitate access to modern mining equipment, particularly targeting the unique needs of gold miners.

He stated that the Ministry would engage stakeholders to finalize the super cooperative framework before implementation in designated gold-producing areas across the country.

“This structure will help formalize operations while ensuring miners adopt safer, more productive methods,” Kabeta said.

During a meeting with Planet Gold Zambia, the Permanent Secretary emphasized that the initiative would prioritize mercury-free gold processing technologies to protect both miners’ health and the environment.

“Zambia must move toward responsible gold mining practices while increasing productivity,” he said

Planet Gold Zambia National Project Manager, Abigail Mwailenge, welcomed the proposed model, noting its alignment with their global efforts in 27 countries to support artisanal gold miners.

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