The Emeralds and Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia-ESMAZ has raised concerns about the current mining policies, suggesting that they favor foreigners over local small-scale miners.
ESMAZ President Victor Kalesha said there is a need for the Ministry of Mines to reevaluate and adjust the stringent conditions imposed on Zambian miners.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ESMAZ criticized the current mining license policy, stating that it seems to favor foreign companies over Zambian miners further arguing that the conditions are simpler for foreigners due to their access to finances, equipment, and geological information.
Kalesha highlighted a lack of understanding of the language and complex regulations, which are major barriers for local miners.
“In contrast, local miners face significant challenges in meeting these requirements, hindering their ability to compete on an equal footing.”
ESMAZ proposed various solutions, including tax relief on the importation of mining equipment for small-scale miners and the establishment of pilot projects to provide leased mining equipment.
Kalesha has also appealed for long-term financing options tailored to support local miners and for the enhancement of geological survey capabilities.
He further emphasized the importance of collaboration with academic institutions such as the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University School of Mines to leverage expertise in mapping out the geological layout of the country.
ESMAZ asserts that these measures are necessary to level the playing field and ensure fair opportunities for local small-scale miners in the Zambian mining industry.
“Many times noncompliance comes in because of the lack of compliance comes in because of not understanding the jargons in the language that is used which needs to be changed to the level of most local Zambian small-scale miners.”
“The current policy on mining licenses is a conduit to be cited for noncompliance because some of them don’t even seem to be favoring the Zambians but are favoring the foreigners because the conditions look very simple for foreigners because they have the money but very difficult for the locals because they have no access Finance, equipment and no proper geological information which is easy for other for the foreigners.”
“What we need to see is that maybe be government cutting off taxes on the importation of the importation of equipment for small scale so that they can be able to do proper exploration because currently, exploration itself is very expensive.” He added.
