By ROGERS KALERO
It is a misplaced priority for Mines and Mineral Development Minister Paul Kabuswe to direct Kagem and Grizzly Emerald Mining companies to tar the road from chief Nkana to emerald restricted area at a time small scale miners were struggling to find their feet in the emerald sector,” Emerald and Semi Precious Minerals Association of Zambia (Esmaz) President Victor Kalesha has said
Mr Kalesha said his association was disappointed that the Mines minister was enjoying visiting the two giant emerald mining companies instead of touring the small scale mines in the area to understand their challenges and then find a way of helping them to find their feet and contribute to economic recovery through job creation and payment of various taxes.
Mr Kalesha was reacting to the statement by Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe that Kagem Mine and Grizzly Mine should collaborate and tar the over 40 kilometers road which connects the Emerald restricted area to Kalulushi and Kitwe Districts.
Mr. Kabuswe said the road has been in a deplorable state and that it needs to be worked on as it connects the two mines to the rest of the Copperbelt.
But, in a voice note, Mr Kalesha said, as much as he appreciated the minister’s concern regarding the bad state of the road, he believed that his statement was a disappointment and a misplaced priority because the small scale miners wanted him to engage the two emerald mining giants on how best they could support the small scale miners.
“As much as we appreciate the mines minister’s statement that the two giant emerald mines to tar the road, we think it is a misplaced priority and a bad start for the minister. We are actually disappointed.
“Why should a minister enjoy going to Kagem and Grizzly mining companies to hear presentations when small scale miners are struggling to find their feet in the emerald sector. We are facing challenges which we think the minister should help us deal with. We need capital and machinery to develop our mines and increase production,” Mr Kalesha said
During the tour of Kagem and Grizzly Emerald Mines, Mr Kabuswe said for a long time now, the road has only been graded despite it being a very important road used by emerald mines and farmers.
Mr Kabuswe said this recently when he conducted a familiarization tour of the two emerald mines in Lufwanyama District on the Copperbelt.
And, Kagem Mine Board Chairman Sixtus Mulenga says the Mine has a life span over about 25 years.
Dr. Mulenga said Kagema Mine, which is the largest emerald producer in the world, is the only company which paid workers full salaries at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
