Zambia police chief orders officers to crack down on illegal mining

Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Fred Hamaamba, has directed officers deployed to mining areas to step up efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s mineral resources.

Hamaamba said police officers had a duty to ensure that national minerals were protected and warned that officers found engaging in illegal mining would face the law.

“We have a duty to protect the national minerals. Officers deployed in mining areas must ensure that they fight illegal mining. Remove illegal miners and protect the national minerals,” Hamaamba stated.

He was speaking on Monday when he addressed TAZARA and Muchinga Division commanding officers, Chomba Chaongopa and Lubinda Mayamba, at Northern Lock Hotel in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, according to a police statement issued on Tuesday.

Hamaamba said the Police High Command was working with the Ministry of Mines to put in place measures to improve the working conditions of officers deployed in mining areas.

He said a conducive working environment would help deter officers from engaging in illegal activities.

“Any officer who will be found wanting in the mining areas, the law will visit such an officer without favour,” Hamaamba warned.

He described illegal mining as a threat to national development, saying Zambia’s mineral resources should contribute to economic transformation through legally established procedures.

Hamaamba is in Muchinga Province as part of efforts to strengthen security in mining areas and ensure the protection of the country’s mineral resources.

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