Small scale miners justify military intervention in Mufumbwe, Kasempa mining districts

The Federation of Small-Scale Mining Associations of Zambia (FSSMAZ) has expressed serious concern over deteriorating security conditions in Mufumbwe and Kasempa, warning that the areas had become unsafe for local miners and surrounding communities.

In a telephone interview with Zambia Monitor, FSSMAZ president, Joseph Mwansa, said the federation’s “primary and unwavering concern” is the safety of its members, the protection of legitimate mining operations, and the safeguarding of the country’s mineral resources.

Mwansa said recent developments in the two districts have created an “untenable environment,” largely due to what he described as a significant and unregulated influx of individuals from different countries.

He said many of them were reportedly operating without proper documentation, including passports and valid business licences—a situation he said has disrupted lawful mining activities and undermined security.

“The lack of oversight has created a climate of uncertainty that threatens the well-being of local communities and miners,” Mwansa said.

He added that the prevailing conditions had already forced some Zambian miners to abandon their operations out of fear for their safety.

In response to the security challenges, FSSMAZ has welcomed the deployment of specialised military units to the affected areas.

Mwansa described the intervention as a necessary and proportionate response to the extraordinary circumstances on the ground.

“We acknowledge and support the deployment of specialised military units. Their discipline, structured approach, and operational capacity are essential to stabilise the current complex security situation,” he said.

He emphasized that FSSMAZ’s position was to focused on protection—not confrontation—and urged members and stakeholders to cooperate fully with security authorities.

Such cooperation, he said, was critical to restoring order and enabling safe, legal, and productive mining operations to resume.

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