Mwinilunga Member of Parliament Newton Samakayi says the reopening of the Kasenseli gold mine is likely to face further delays as the matter is now actively in court.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, the area Member of Parliament said for now there is nothing that can be done to reopen the gold mine until the court issues conclude.
According to Mwinilunga Member of Parliament Newton Samakayi, this is with regard to the latest development where the three prominent mining entities, ZCCM-IH Investment Holdings, Zambia Gold Company, and Kasenseli Gold Mine, have taken legal action to request a stay of a recent High Court Order in a dispute over the small-scale mining license of Kasenseli Gold Limited.
PCB Mining Limited had earlier demanded the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to immediately re-instate its license no.24988-HQ-SEL, being 375.443 hectares of the Kasenseli gold mine area in its original shape as per the High Court judgment dated September 11, 2023.
High Court Judge, Edward Musona, ordered ZCCM-IH and its subsidiary, Zambia Gold Company Limited, to forthwith transfer the said licence to the rightful owners, PCB Mining Limited.
Samakayi however said the people on the ground are eagerly waiting for the mine to start operating and boost the economy.
I wish that the court process will be concluded quickly so that the way forward is found to begin mining the gold so that the people and the country can benefit.
The Kasenseli gold mine has great potential to positively contribute to the economic development of the region.
The reopening of the mine will not only create employment opportunities for the locals but also contribute to the country’s GDP.
The mine has the potential to generate significant revenue for the government, which can be used for various development projects. Therefore, it is essential to resolve the ongoing court case surrounding the mine’s reopening to ensure its contribution to the economic growth of the area and the country at large.