FSSMAZ urges creation of small-scale mining policy
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 4:50:33 AM
FEDERATION of Small Scale Mining Association of Zambia (FSSMAZ) president Pauline Mundia has called on government to quickly come up with a deliberate policy regarding the development of the small-scale mining sector in the country.
In an interview, Mundia said a clear policy on the development of the small-scale mining sector was the only way in which to maximise the economic value of the investment in the sector.
“At the moment, we do not have a policy in place and this has hindered the development of the small-scale mining sector,” she said. “Once guidelines are put in place, that will help run the sector, investors will be attracted to the sector.”
Mundia explained that the small-scale mining policy would also help in addressing some of the challenges that the sector had been experiencing.
“We hope that issues like lack of access to communication like internet, electricity and proper infrastructure like roads will also be addressed as these have hampered the productivity of the sector,” she said.
And Mundia has revealed that some of its members will be attending the China Mining Show in Beijing, which will be running from the October 20 to 22, 2009.
“We hope that our attending this show will help us find proper investors into the gemstone industry of Zambia,” said Mundia. “We also hope to find buyers for our products. At present, we have been using middlemen who have not been giving us the real value for our products.”
Labels: FSSMAZ, MINING, PAULINE MUNDIA
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FSSMAZ calls for re-introduction of patrols in gemstone mining
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wednesday June 11, 2008 [04:00]
Federation of Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia (FSSMAZ) has declared that its biggest objective is to eliminate illegal foreign middlemen whom they accuse of plundering from small-scale miners in the country. FSSMAZ inaugural president Pauline Shialumba Mundia has urged the government to re-introduce the routine patrols in gemstone mining areas to help eliminate illegal foreigners who were conducting business there.
In interview, Mundia announced that about 14 local small-scale miners in the country would next month participate in the diamond and gemstone expo in the United States.
“The foreign illegal traders have for a long time now been plundering our natural resources because when they come, they offer very low prices which make it difficult for our miners to plough back whatever they sale into the businesses and at the same time contribute effectively to the economy of Zambia,” Mundia said. “We want to eliminate the middlemen so that our miners start dealing directly with the end users so that the sector is able to get the true value of their gemstones unlike at the moment whereby the stones go through many hands, sometimes three to four hands before they reach the end users.”
Mundia said in that way, the miners suffered because they ended up selling at very low prices.
“That is why we want to take our members to the expo in US next month, so that we can allow our miners to have direct contacts with the end users for the metals unlike now when they have to deal with middle men,” he said.
And Mundia said the gemstone sector in the country still faced a challenge of lack of infrastructure for marketing the commodity.
“The gemstone exchange is there in Ndola but then it has not really started but it is in the pipeline. But on the same gemstone exchange, we wish the government could develop a system where there could a mean gemstone exchange in every area where there are major mine operations,” said Mundia.
Labels: FSSMAZ, MINING
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FSSMAZ seeks to achieve unity in mining sector
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wednesday May 28, 2008 [04:00]
NEWLY formed Federation of Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia (FSSMAZ) has said the immediate objective is to achieve unity in the country's small-scale mining sector. In an interview after the new association was ushered into office last week, publicity secretary Rosemary Mundia de Boer also appealed for all regional organisations of small-scale miners to support FSSMAZ, an umbrella organisation.
"This is important for the small-scale miners as traders and lapidaries as it would strengthen our voice when it comes to lobbying government and other stakeholders on the demands of our industry unlike in the past when regional organisations used to speak independently," Mundia de Boer said. "We also hope that all the regional organisations will fully support this new association so that as we lobby for policies and other issues that affect the sector, we do it with one voice. This sector offers best opportunities for economic growth but if only we could have enhanced funding to the sector...and those are the things we want achieve as FSSMAZ."
And commenting on the recent statement by mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa that most small-scale miners were allegedly buying mining plots and later reselling them to foreigners, Mundia de Boer blamed the trend on lack of working capital and equipment among small-scale miners.
"That is true. But of course the problem is that miners don't have access to things like capital or equipment and that is what we want to address as the new federation," Mundia de Boer said.
The new office bearers include Pauline Shialumba Mundia (inaugural president), Emmanuel Kunda (vice-president), Ian Mashekwa Kalenda (general secretary), Mark Kalemba (vice-general secretary) and Mary Nguni (treasuer general). Others are Thomson Chikolela (vice treasurer), Rosemary Mundia de Boer (publicity secretary), Davies Kakoma (vice-publicity), Carol Chisanga, Winfred Ndlovu, Charles Chilufya and Misheck Chewe are the committee members.
Labels: FSSMAZ, MINING
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