By NATION REPORTER
THE Emerald and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) president Victor Kalesha has revealed that over 2, 000 licences are on the verge of being revoked by government.
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Mr Kalesha said the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development want to revoke the licences owned by local investors and be given to multi-national companies.
He has since appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to save the over 2, 000 Zambian-owned licences because this will definitely affect the local investors.
Mr Kalesha said it is disappointing that the newly appointed Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permeant Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, has prioritised foreigners.
“We are asking the Republican President to consider talking to his technocrats at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to ask them to engage us. We have tried to meet the President and we have been blocked by the people at the ministry because of various ill intentions that they have for their fellow Zambians.
We are in talks with our friends in Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya and Madagascar in small-scale mining sector and we exchange notes. We have found that their governments are more concerned in empowering them and increasing their levels of production other than threatening them with laws to revoke the licences,” Mr Kalesha said.
Mr Kalesha said the ministry needs to work with small-scale miners as it is essential for the country’s development and economic growth.
Mr Kalesha said it is important the government engages small-scale miners and provide a road map up to enhance mining development in the country.
He said instead of creating a roadmap to help locals to enhance production, the permanent secretary want to use the law to revoke licences.
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