Chanda calls for investor linkages to unlock idle mining licenses

Party leader, Charles Chanda, has urged government to urgently facilitate partnerships between small-scale mining licence holders and serious investors to unlock the country’s dormant mineral potential.

Chanda noted that thousands of mining licences issued over the past decade remained undeveloped due to lack of capital and technical capacity among local holders.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, Chanda said Zambia’s mining sector remained the backbone of the economy, but that current production levels did not reflect the vast resource base, particularly in rural areas where poverty remained high.

Chanda argued that leaving the licences idle benefited neither government nor communities, and that a deliberate linkage program was needed to bring in investors with the financial muscle and expertise to ramp up production.

“We must link small scale mine licence holders with serious investors who can provide the money and technical skills needed to ramp up production. We cannot continue to have licences sitting idle while our people remain unemployed,” Chanda said.

He highlighted that according to data from the Ministry of Mines, more than 5,000 small-scale and artisan mining licences had been issued across the country. Out of this, industry players estimate that less than 20 percent of the licenses were reportedly in active production.

Chanda urged government to establish a transparent platform to vet and match licence holders with credible investors, both local and foreign, to ensure mutually beneficial joint ventures.

“The President’s vision of creating jobs through mining will only be realized if we move beyond paperwork. Let us bring together those who have licences but no capital, and those who have capital but need licences. That is how we grow the sector,” he said.

The UPPZ leader further called for strengthened regulation to prevent speculation and ensure that partnerships prioritized local employment, environmental protection, and community development agreements.

“This is not about selling out our resources. It is about using them wisely. If we formalize these partnerships, we will see new mines open in rural Zambia, more young people employed, and more revenue for national development,” Chanda said.

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