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The Federation of Small Scale Miners of Zambia has backed government efforts to formalise the mining sector but warned that rising licensing fees could make it difficult for local miners to participate.
Federation president, Joseph Mwansa, said the formalisation programme being implemented by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development could improve transparency, accountability and data collection in the sector.
In a telephone interview on Wednesday, Mwansa said artisanal miners and mining cooperatives continued to play an important role in reducing unemployment and poverty, particularly among young people in areas with limited economic opportunities.
“Formalisation could also help curb illegal mining activities by bringing more operators into the regulated sector,” he said.
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However, the federation expressed concern over recent and proposed increases in mining licence fees.
According to Mwansa, fees had risen from K17, 000 to K105,000, with proposals for a further increase to K600,000.
He argued that the costs were too high for most local miners and warned that applying the same fee structure to both foreign investors and Zambian citizens could disadvantage small-scale local operators.
Mwansa suggested that government consider a separate regulatory framework for foreign investors instead of imposing uniform charges across the sector.
The federation also raised concerns about gaps in mining legislation, particularly regarding procedures for landowners who discover minerals on their property.
“The absence of a clear and accessible licensing process prevents many citizens from benefiting from mineral resources found on their land,” Mwansa said.
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