Government loses billions in smuggled emeralds

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:05:37 +0000

ZAMBIA is losing colossal sums of money through smuggling of emeralds says, Emerald and Semi-precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) president Victor Kalesha.

Mr Kalesha expressed concern on the large quantities of emeralds which were being smuggled out of Zambia making Government lose out a lot of revenue.

He said that failure by authorities to seal smuggling passage ways was acting as a barrier in attracting investors to the sector.

He said the association had noticed that investors were not willing to put their money in the emerald sector because they could buy the precious stones cheaply on the black market.

“We need Government to put up stringent mechanisms to discourage illegal trade and export of gemstones especially emeralds.

“It is amazing that people with no mines are able to survive financially and comfortably while people with mines can’t afford to acquire investment into their mines,” said Mr Kalesha.

Mr Kalesha appealed to Government to work hand in hand with his association to curb the scourge, adding that if left unchecked, it would defeat the purpose of Government trying to raise revenue for the country.

He also indicated that it would be wrong for Government to heed to calls from some quarters of society to be awarded the dump sites at Kagem and Gemcanton mines in Lufwanyama.

“We want to ask Government to put its foot down and make critical decisions that will restore respect to the laws enshrined in our Constitution.

“We want Lufwanyama emerald area to revert to the status of restricted area and we are happy as an association that we have engaged in positive discussions with the Minister of Mines with an agenda to develop the emerald industry,” he said.

He has also urged Government to revisit the issuing of trading permits previously known as gemstone sales certificates to Zambians, alleging that they had been abused by holders.