Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, says the government is committed to addressing challenges faced by small-scale miners in the country.
Mr Kabuswe has acknowledged that small-scale miners in the country face many challenges in their operations such as capital, modern equipment and fair market opportunities which affect them negatively.
He said this yesterday in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary, Hapenga Kabeta, during the official opening of the Annual General Meeting for the Federation of Small-Scale Mining Association of Zambia (FSSMAZ) in Lusaka.
Mr Kabuswe stated that the association plays a vital role in the development of the country through job creation, providing business opportunities and supporting local communities.
“In order for us to understand the context in both the government’s involvement and support to you, last year through the Ministry of Mines, we decided to establish a committee to interrogate the various facets of your operations and look into manganese’s value chain in order for us to know what challenges your sector is facing,” he added.
The Minister disclosed that the government has directed that ZCCM -IH should be the aggregator of manganese in Mansa and establish a plant to ensure everyone gets value from their minerals.
Mr Kabuswe further added that consolidating small-scale miners will bring more value to them and the country.
Mr Kabuswe noted that government is also planning on opening a market center for miners in order for them to freely showcase and sell their products.
The Minister also urged the association to collaborate with government, industry stakeholders and local communities to address the challenges faced by the industry through working together to create a conducive sector.
Meanwhile, speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Women in Extraction Trade and Value Addition Trustee, Grace Njapau, thanked the government for its interventions in improving the operations of the small-scale miners in the country.
She urged the new Federation for Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia Executive to be elected at the AGM to ensure that members of the association, especially women are fully supported.
