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The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has announced the issuance of 1,498 artisanal and small-scale mining licences across Zambia since 2023, a move aimed at formalising the sector and unlocking its economic potential.
The figures were disclosed by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, in a ministerial statement delivered to Parliament in Lusaka on Thursday.
Kabuswe informed the House that the bulk of the national licences, 1,201, were for gold mining, while the remaining 297 were for non-gold commodities such as manganese and copper.
“I wish to inform this House that, since 2023 up to 8th August, 2025, a total of 1,498 artisanal and small-scale licences have been issued countrywide,” he stated.
The Minister also pointed to Serenje District as a case study of regional mineral diversity, noting that 76 of the licences were granted there for a variety of minerals including copper, gold, manganese, and limestone.
While characterising the licensing drive as “encouraging,” Kabuswe outlined significant challenges facing the sector such as limited access to geological information, finance, markets, modern equipment, and technical skills.
He stated that this was coupled with persistent concerns over occupational health and environmental safety.
“The government in addressing the various challenges, by artisanal and small-scale scale bis undertaking initiatives that include he establishment of a dedicated department of artisanal and small-scale scale mining,” Kabuswe said.
He stated that the government was also facilitating access to finance, markets and equipment for artisanal and small-scale miners.
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Additionally, conducting capacity building programmes and training for miners on basic mining methods, skill development, occupational health and safety and encouraging formation of cooperatives to enhance collective participation.
“The government was further granting artisanal rights and undertaking a countrywide high-resolution resolution aerial geophysical survey, ” Kabuswe stated.
He said the government had also repealed and replaced the Mines and Minerals Development ACT NO. 14 of 2024 and the Geologicaland Minerals Development ACT NO. 2 of 2025.
Kabuswe stated that through the reforms, the government had set a fund dedicated to supporting the capacity development of artisanal and small-scale scale miners had been established.
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