Small-scale miners charged to improve safety, productivity as training completed

The government has urged artisanal and small-scale miners to apply knowledge gained from a three-week intensive training programme to improve safety, productivity and compliance with mining regulations as Zambia seeks to strengthen the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

A total of 440 participants from 288 mining cooperatives across Zambia completed the training programme in Kabwe, Central Province, which was aimed at enhancing the knowledge, skills and capacity of artisanal and small-scale miners.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta, who officially closed the programme and presented certificates to participating cooperatives, said the long-term success of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector would depend on responsible mining practices, proper organisation and continuous skills development.

“The future of ASM depends not only on mineral resources, but also on knowledge, organisation and responsibility,” Kabeta said.

He urged the miners to put into practice the skills acquired during the training and help build a safer, more organised and environmentally sustainable artisanal and small-scale mining industry.

Kabeta also commended participants for their dedication throughout the programme and thanked the Central Province administration, Kabwe District administration, facilitators, traditional leaders and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.

Meanwhile, Central Province Council of Chiefs Chairperson, Chief Chibala, called on mining cooperatives to operate within the law by acquiring the necessary licences and complying with mining regulations.

He said legal compliance would enable cooperatives to conduct their operations responsibly while contributing to community development.

Earlier, Kabwe District Commissioner, Lenox Chimwambwa, said Central Province was well positioned to play a key role in Zambia’s economic development through mining.

Chimwambwa noted that artisanal and small-scale mining remained an important source of employment and income for many Zambians and said continued investment in capacity building would strengthen the sector’s contribution to national development.

The training programme brought together several government institutions, including the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Defence, Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Minerals Regulation Commission, which provided technical knowledge and practical guidance on various aspects of mining operations.

Participants were encouraged to use the knowledge acquired to improve workplace safety, environmental stewardship, operational efficiency and adherence to mining laws.

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