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The government has announced that access to mining areas will now be restricted to artisanal and small-scale miners holding official identity cards linked to their National Registration Cards (NRCs).
Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, said the move was aimed at preventing unscrupulous individuals from exploiting the newly established Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund.
Speaking during a meeting with mining cooperatives that recently completed the third cohort of training in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, Kabeta said additional safeguards were being put in place to protect the programme.
Kabeta revealed in a statement that artisanal miners would not receive cash disbursements under the fund, explaining that government support would instead be provided directly in the form of equipment.
He further disclosed that the demarcation of mining areas was currently underway in Mufumbwe District of North-Western Province.
“The Ministry in collaboration with other line ministries, is formulating specific criteria to guide mining cooperatives in accessing the newly established Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund,” Kabeta said.
He added that a recovery mechanism was being designed to ensure funds allocated to artisanal miners were repaid, allowing the programme to operate as a sustainable revolving fund.
“The government has drawn lessons from previous financing programmes where some beneficiaries misused resources, and is therefore proceeding cautiously with this initiative,” Kabeta said.
Meanwhile, Leonard Simwaba, representing Wabonse Multi-Purpose Cooperative, thanked the government for the training and said miners were eager to understand the next steps following its completion.
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