Melo News | Monday, April 15, 2024 | Lusaka
The government has issued a 30-day ultimatum to artisanal and small-scale mine owners whose licenses were recently cancelled for non-compliance.
They are required to rectify the areas of concern, regain their documents, and pay a penalty fee of K5000. According to President Musa Kafimbwa of the Emerald Production Watch of Zambia, the emerald sector accounted for 271 licenses out of the total 2650 mining and non-mining licenses that were cancelled by the mining licensing committee.
However, Mr. Kafimbwa reveals that this amnesty was only granted to small-scale mine license holders and not the larger mines.
He further explains that the number of mining licenses in Lufwanyama has significantly decreased due to mergers among various cooperatives, resulting in a consolidation into one entity.
Additionally, big mines like grizzly hold 7 licenses under a single entity. Mr. Kafimbwa also highlights that the reported K33 million debt owed by small-scale emerald owners to the Lufwanyama town council is nearly impossible to repay, as most of them have no income and are inactive.
