IT is surprising that with the wealth at its disposal, Zambia is still struggling to reset its economic on a positive trajectory.
There is no doubt that Zambia is endowed with natural wealth in almost all parts the country. There is copper, gemstones and other precious minerals on the Copperbelt, gold in North Western province, Central and Eastern provinces. There is oil in Southern and Northern provinces and a lot more in other places.
What seems to be the problem is how to harness the wealth and make it pay for the economic recovery that the country so needs.
The discovery of gold deposits in different parts of the country should be an assurance that all would be well in the end provided government makes prudent decisions how to manage its wealth.
However, the country appears to have had problems in handling the illegal gold mining activities to an extent that some mines even get invaded or illegally taken over.
This obviously needs to be corrected.
For instance, today we are reporting about several police officers being deployed at Sasali Gold Mine in Lusangazi District to prevent illegal mining activities.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of operations, Mr Milner Muyambango, who toured Sasali Mine yesterday, the deployment of officers was aimed at preventing unscrupulous people from looting gold deposits in chief Sandwe’s area.
The police command wants to restore law and order where there has been rampant reports of looting of gold deposits.
“As police, we are happy that officers have been deployed at Sasali Gold Mine and we are confident that law and order will be restored in the area,” Mr Muyambango said.
Indeed this is all part of government efforts to secure gold mining areas. In the past, there have been cases of gold mining areas being overrun by illegal miners who include both locals and foreign nationals.
Rather than engaging in skirmishes with locals after they invade a mining area, it is imperative that government secures such sites and keep intruders at bay.
It is also commendable that Mines minister, Paul Kabuswe, is taking proactive action to ensure that the gold sub sector is generally secured.
The minister, who is well aware of the responsibility falling on his shoulders, has promised to introduce progressive policies to cover the mining sector, and in particular, the gold mining sub sector.
This is something that this country has been looking forward to, for the sake of securing the national resources in the mining sector.
It goes without saying that the mining sector, with the huge production of copper, has been the mainstay of the Zambian economy.
With the discovery of gold deposits in various parts of the country such as Rufunsa, Mwinilunga, parts of Eastern province and Mumbwa district, the prospects for the country are definitely better and with proper management could help lift the country out the debt crisis.
It is therefore important that the minister of Mines, gets the necessary support as he strives to put matters right by bringing in policies to guide the sector.
Ultimately, the winners will be Zambians because the money that government earns from the mining sector would go towards improving the welfare of locals.
For instance, Government plans to employ thousands into the civil service, could easily be financed if earnings from gold mines are harnessed and managed properly.
A successful gold mining subsector, is a plus to all Zambians and hence the reason to support plans to introduce new policies for the mining sector.
