Government Allocates 89 Mining Tenements To Cooperatives In Mufumbwe

The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has completed the allocation of 89 mining tenements to cooperatives in Kikonge, Mufumbwe District, in a move aimed at promoting local participation in the mining sector and expanding economic opportunities for local communities.

Speaking after the exercise, Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) Directorate of Mining and Non-Mining Rights Licensing Manager for Surveying, Mulolwa Mulolwa, said the next stage would involve issuing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to the cooperatives and identification cards to their members to ensure orderly, accountable and well-coordinated mining operations. Mr. Mulolwa commended the peaceful and orderly manner in which the exercise was conducted, describing it as an important step towards formalising artisanal and small-scale mining in the area.

Meanwhile, ZCCM-IH Kikonge Gold Mining Project Manager Mwansa Machaya said the next stage would involve issuing access cards to regulate entry into the mining area. Mr. Machaya said each of the 89 cooperatives would receive 15 access cards, bringing the total to 1,335, to help manage access to the mine. He commended the Ministry for completing the allocation exercise and said ZCCM-IH was ready to proceed with the next phase of engagement.

Chisaka Chetu Cooperative Society member Dorine Chifunda, whose cooperative is women-owned, thanked Government for extending mining opportunities to local communities, saying the initiative would empower women, create jobs and enable more people to benefit from the sector. However, she appealed for financial and technical support for emerging cooperatives, particularly in acquiring mining machinery and other essential facilities to promote safe and sustainable operations. Similarly, Mapanza Chiefdom Cooperative member Lovely Milambo expressed gratitude to Government for the opportunity to participate in the Kikonge Gold Project and commended the peaceful allocation process. Mr. Milambo also appealed for assistance with mining equipment, saying many emerging cooperatives lacked the financial capacity to establish their operations. The allocation exercise marks a significant step in Government’s efforts to promote legal, organised and safer artisanal and small-scale mining while enabling local communities to participate in the development of Zambia’s mineral resources.