Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Official calls for legal framework on mining activities in Luapula

Official calls for legal framework on mining activities in Luapula
February 6, 2009

A senior government official has called for the establishment of a legal framework to regulate and formalise mining activities in Luapula Province.

Acting Mansa District Commissioner Charles Makwaya observed that government was loosing revenue from mining companies and individuals operating in the area because of lack of legal framework to regulate the mining and mineral prospecting activities.

He said some mining activities were being conducted without impact assessment from the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) and were causing degradation to the environment in the area.

Mr. Makwaya was speaking at his office when he received State House Chief Analyst for Policy Implementation and Monitoring (PIM) Tobias Mulimbika who paid a courtesy call on him .

The DC said there was need to legalise the activities so that mining companies and individuals are compelled to come up with programmes to mitigate the impact of mining activities on the infrastructure and environment.

“It has become very difficult for government to regulate the mining activities because we don’t have a legal framework to do so, that’s why we have a lot of illegal mining companies and individuals operating from whom we can’t even benefit but are using our roads to transport the minerals,” Mr Makwaya.

Mr Makwaya said the increased mining activities in the district had continued to deplete reserved forests especially in chief Matanda’s area.

There have been increased mining activities in Luapula Province which has attracted both local and foreign companies , that have ventured into mining of manganese and copper which is sold abroad.

ZANIS/CB/MKM/ENDS

Labels: LUAPULA PROVINCE, MINING

posted by MrK @ 5:07 AM