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The Federation of Small Scale Mining Associations of Zambia (FSSMAZ) has called for a review of environmental fees affecting small-scale gemstone miners following the dissolution of the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Board.
In a statement issued on Saturday, FSSMAZ president, Joseph Mwansa, said the Federation supported the decision by Green Economy and Environment Minister Gilbert Siame to dissolve the ZEMA Board, but urged the incoming board to address concerns over regulatory costs affecting small-scale miners.
Mwansa said gemstone miners had been particularly affected by Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2026, which increased certain statutory fees in the sector.
He said the Federation had raised concerns over the fees with the former ZEMA Board, the Permanent Secretary and the former Minister of Green Economy and Environment, but no corrective measures had been taken.
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According to Mwansa, the increased fees had made compliance more expensive for small-scale gemstone miners, with some operators struggling to remain within the formal regulatory framework.
“These increases have raised the cost of participation for small-scale gemstone miners, placed formal compliance out of reach for many, and slowed investment at community level,” he said.
Mwansa said the mining sector remained an important source of livelihoods, particularly for young people, women and rural communities involved in artisanal and small-scale mining.
He urged Minister Siame to appoint a competent and consultative ZEMA Board within the two weeks indicated by Government.
Mwansa said the new board should prioritise a review of the statutory fees introduced under SI No. 3 of 2026, with particular attention to their impact on the gemstone sector.
He also called for wider stakeholder consultations before the introduction of policies affecting small-scale mining operations.
The Federation further wants the new board to promote Zambian ownership and value addition in the mineral value chain and improve transparency and fairness in environmental regulation.
Mwansa said FSSMAZ was ready to work with the Ministry and the incoming board to develop an environmental regulatory system that protects the environment without preventing Zambians from participating in the mining industry.
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