Small-scale gold miners get golden chance  

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 09:58:33 +0000

By ANNIE ZULU

THE Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has started issuing gold panning certificates in an effort to promote and legalise small-scale gold mining, the ministry’s Head of Mineral Economics, Mr Willy Chilufya has disclosed.

Mr Chilufya told the Daily Nation in an interview that the move was aimed at formalising small-scale mining and processing of gold in areas like Rufunsa, Vubwi, Luano and Petauke where gold deposits have been found in streams.

“The gold panning certificate is valid for two years after issuance and is basically meant to give rights to the Zambian citizen and cooperatives who want to pan for gold,” Mr Chilufya said. He disclosed that the Zambian Revenue Authority (ZRA), the Ministry of Commerce, the Bank of Zambia and ZCCM-IH conducted a study to gather evidence that would help the Ministry of Mines determine the potential that small-scale gold miners had to create meaningful jobs and contribute to the government Treasury.

“This team has given us findings and recommendations that will serve as a strategy going forward as regards to gold panning and trading in Zambia. As a ministry, our thought is to have a formal system that will enable gold panners to sell gold to us so that it can sit as a government reserve in the central bank,” He said.

Mr Chilufya indicated that the panning certificate was being issued at the Mineral Economics office at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in Lusaka.

“It is being issued electronically through the Mining Cadaster Administration System (MCAS), a web-based mining rights cadaster system that has been put in place by our partners, the European Union,

“The requirements for one to get a gold panning certificate are very simple. One just has to fill in a form, bring a tax clearance, identification and they are good to go,” he said.