Cabinet deploys security forces to curb illegal mining, approves key legislative reforms

Cabinet has approved the deployment of defence and security personnel to tackle illegal mining activities, following increased exploitation of gold and other mineral commodities across the country.

The decision was made during the 12th Cabinet Meeting of 2025, held on Wednesday, July 2, at State House.

The meeting, chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema, focused mainly on legislative and policy matters.

Addressing the media in Lusaka on Thursday, Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said Cabinet had observed a rise in illegal mining involving minerals such as gold, manganese, copper, sugilite, tin, and lithium, largely conducted by artisanal and small-scale miners.

He said the illegal mining activities had triggered other unlawful practices, including mineral smuggling, environmental pollution, and increased influx of foreign nationals.

“Illegal exploitation of minerals has also led to the exploitation of local people through unfair pricing, as they are forced to sell their minerals at rates far below regulated international market prices,” Mweetwa said.

He named some of the hotspot areas identified by Cabinet as Rufunsa, Kasempa, Mpika, Mumbwa, Lusangazi, Chisamba, Chibombo, Luano, Lumezi, Chadiza, and Vubwi, among others.

To address the issue holistically, Cabinet also emphasized the need to formalize artisanal and small-scale miners by issuing mining licenses through the formation of mining cooperatives, thereby increasing local participation in the mineral value chain.

Mweetwa also announced that Cabinet had approved the Access to Information Regulations, 2025, aimed at operationalizing the Access to Information Law.

He said the regulations would make it easier for citizens to access public information from both government and relevant private bodies.

“Access to information is critical to promoting self-restraint among public officers, curbing corruption, countering misinformation, and reducing public criticism that often stems from lack of transparency,” Mweetwa noted.

Additionally, Cabinet approved, in principle, the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act No. 1 of 2011, aimed at improving enforcement and accountability.

Mweetwa said the proposed amendments would clarify definitions of gender-based violence (GBV), establish specific penalties for perpetrators, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

“The amendment will also ensure that survivors of GBV have access to a broader range of support services, including medical care, legal assistance, psychosocial support, and enhanced protection orders to prevent further violence and harassment,” he said.

Also approved for publication and introduction in Parliament is the Teaching Profession Bill, 2025.

The Bill seeks to continue the existence of the Teaching Council of Zambia while redefining its functions, reconstituting its board, and regulating teachers’ practice and conduct. It will also introduce licensure examinations as part of quality assurance and enforce a unified disciplinary structure for all teachers.

“The current Teaching Profession Act of 2013 is not comprehensive in regulating the conduct of teachers, especially as it maintains parallel disciplinary structures for public and private sector teachers. This has made enforcement of professionalism difficult,” Mweetwa explained.

He added that the proposed legislation would bring consistency and higher standards to the education sector by enhancing professionalism and accountability.

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.