Army special forces reportedly clear Kikonge mine of illegal miners

The Central Joint Operations Committee (CJOC) Chairperson and Commander of the Zambia Army, Lieutenant General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, says Kikonge Gold Mine in Kasempa District has been successfully cleared of all illegal miners.

Lieutenant General Zyeele said Zambia Army Special Forces also shut down the notorious Swahiri and Ukraine markets, which he said were being operated by illegal immigrants within the mining area.

“Most illegal miners left voluntarily following our earlier warning of severe consequences should they fail to comply,” Zyeele said according to Buffalo News on Saturday.

“Those who initially resisted reportedly fled upon sight of the Commandos.”

He said security forces would remain in the area to ensure conditions are conducive for lawful mining.

“Thereafter, the Ministry of Mines will provide guidance on how mining operations should be conducted legally,” said Zyeele, who recently stirred public debate over his “extermination” remark.

The operation was a joint exercise involving the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Drug Enforcement Commission, Department of Immigration, and other security agencies.

Read more: defence-minister-lufuma-leads-security-chiefs-to-mufumbwe-amid-clashes-between-artisanal-miners-security-forces

Lieutenant General Zyeele warned illegal miners against attempting to return to Kikonge, stressing that anyone found in the area would be forcibly removed.

He confirmed that the operation was incident-free, with no casualties recorded.

During the exercise, assorted materials and equipment used in illegal mining and related criminal activities were reportedly confiscated, while abandoned items were also collected.

He reiterated that all confiscated and abandoned equipment would not be returned, as they were used to facilitate criminal acts.

Zyeele added that any remaining matters would be handled and disposed of by the CJOC in accordance with the law, and that similar operations would continue.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.