Maravi

Parliament recommends rejection of Kangaluwi mining project
By Kabanda Chulu
Tue 13 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT

A PARLIAMENTARY committee has recommended the rejection of mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park by Mwembeshi Resources because the mining licence was issued fraudulently.

According to a special report by the Committee on Lands, Environment and Tourism on the proposed Kangaluwi mining project in the national park, the mining licence that Mwembeshi Resources holds was issued without following the requirements of the law and procedures.

It stated that Mwembeshi Resources was issued with a minimal (prospecting) mining licence by the ministry responsible for mines prior to it undertaking an environmental impact assessment (EIA).

"The issue of prospecting does not necessarily mean that a mining licence will be given. The licence is invalid and should be revoked. There should be no mining in the Lower Zambezi National Park which should be reserved and preserved as a conservation area and heritage for purposes of tourism development," it stated.

"The government should ensure that the issuance of mining licences follows the legal and laid down procedures and the work of the inter-ministerial committee should be strengthened."

Last year, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) rejected mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park, citing environmental concerns but Mwembeshi Resources appealed to environmental protection minister Wilbur Simuusa, who has since generated a cab memo.

Labels: ENVIRONMENT, PARLIAMENT

posted by MrK @ 3:52 PM