By JOHN KOMBE
THE establishment of a Gold Market Centre in Rufunsa has reached an advanced stage, Zambia Consolidated Gold Mining Company public relations officer, Liyani Kaputo has said.
In an interview, Mr. Kaputo disclosed that the company had bought substantial amounts of gold from Rufunsa and had decided to enhance the undertaking.
He said that the company was putting final logistical issues such as security at the proposed site.
Mr Kaputo observed that the artisanal miners, gold cooperatives, individuals and gold mining companies in the area were currently taking their gold to the company in Lusaka, which was labourious.
He said that the company, which has a countrywide mandate to drive formalisation and growth in the gold sector, was committed to accelerating growth in the gold sector.
Mr Kaputo was confident that the establishment of a gold market centre in Rufunsa would help to upscale gold purchases in the area.
Meanwhile, the development has been welcomed by the gold mining cooperatives in the district.
Pokela Gold Mining Cooperative chairman, Kelvin Ngulube said the move was long overdue. He said that the government has been losing out on gold proceeds due to an influx of private buyers and the long distance to the ZCCM-IH offices in Lusaka.
He was happy the company had responded to their cry for the establishment of a market centre in the district.
Mr Ngulube said that this would help to provide a better market for the miners who were being offered low prices by private buyers who had the monopoly of business.
Chimwetu Gold Mining Cooperative chairman, Emmanuel Tembo said that the setting up of a market centre in the area would go a long way in curbing illegal gold trade.
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