By 
Sixteen Chinese nationals and four Zambians have been arrested over illegal gold mining and the alleged pollution of Muneshi Stream in Chief Mukungule’s area of Mpika District, Muchinga Province.
The arrests were facilitated by the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC), in collaboration with the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and state security wings.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, the suspects were found conducting gold mining and processing operations without the required licences and other authorisations from relevant authorities.
Preliminary findings indicate that the operators were extracting gold from the stream using unidentified substances suspected to have contributed to the pollution of the waterway.
Muneshi Stream is an important water source for surrounding and downstream communities, raising concerns over potential public health risks and the impact on local livelihoods.
The suspects are also alleged to have obstructed the natural flow of the stream to facilitate their mining and mineral processing activities, limiting access to water for downstream communities.
MRC Manager for Minerals Security and Protection, Malfred Moolela, expressed concern over what he described as continued disregard for mining regulations and environmental requirements by some mining operators, particularly foreign nationals.
“The Commission had suspended mining and mineral processing operations at the same site approximately two months ago after establishing that the operators did not possess the necessary documentation to undertake such activities,” Moolela said.
He said the Commission was concerned that the activities had continued despite the suspension and the opportunity given to the operators to abandon or regularise their operations.
Read More: Govt seeks long-term sustainability of mine-water project
Moolela said the Commission would not tolerate mining activities conducted in violation of the law or those that endangered the environment and the safety of surrounding communities.
“The MRC will, henceforth, take decisive regulatory actions against any individual or company found conducting unauthorised exploration, mining or mineral processing operations, including revocation of mining or non-mining rights where applicable,” he warned.
He said the Commission would not allow any individual or company to exploit Zambia’s mineral resources at the expense of environmental protection and the wellbeing of the people.
Moolela reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening compliance monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with relevant regulatory institutions to ensure that mineral resources were exploited responsibly and sustainably.
He urged all mining operators to comply with the country’s mining and environmental laws and obtain the necessary approvals before commencing operations.
He warned that illegal mining, environmental degradation and activities threatening community safety would attract regulatory action in accordance with the law.
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.
Comments