Green Economy Minister Collins Nzovu has threatened to shut down Kitwe’s black mountain on environmental concerns being raised which are not being resolved.
Nzovu said his ministry is monitoring all operations at each mining company, including the black mountain in Kitwe on the Copperbelt to ensure that there is sustainable mining and mining operations.
This follows a number of concerns and complaints received by the ministry of the Green economy from concerned parties concerning the manner in which Copper ore from the part of the black mountain is being dumped in residential areas of Kitwe.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – Green Economy and Environment minister Collins Nzovu said Government is doing everything possible to sensitize small scale miners to ensure that they follow the laid down laws and environmental regulations.
Nzovu disclosed that the ministry is currently monitoring and evaluating mining operations so as to ensure that there is compliance, adding that both small and large scale mines should ensure that the conditions set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment are met.
Kitwe residents and environmentalists have complained on the way the black maintain operations are affecting their communities and residential areas. The situation has worsened and authorities seem to have failed to come up with tangible solutions.
Black mountain operations remain politically charged as access to the dump seem to have no clear regulations and procedures that have gained consensus with the locals. Mines ministry and green economy need to urgently move in and arrive at a way forward that is acceptable to the local community.
