Zambian government to limit mining licences to five per company
As the second largest copper producer in Africa, Zambia has announced changes to its mining and also said a company can only be allowed to hold five licences. Zambia announced the new changes on Monday that the number of mining licences that a company can hold at a time will be restricted to five to
Zambian government to limit mining licences to five per company
As the second largest copper producer in Africa, Zambia has announced changes to its mining and also said a company can only be allowed to hold five licences.
Zambia announced the new changes on Monday that the number of mining licences that a company can hold at a time will be restricted to five to curb speculative purchases within the country’s licensing system.
The Zambian ministry of mines in February suspended the issuance of mining licences and commissioned an audit in response to public complaints about a lack of transparency.
“Every miner will be restricted to five licences and those that need more will have to justify it,” Zambia’s mines minister Paul Kabuswe said.
“We have had a lot of licences being used for speculative purposes and we want to curtail that.”
While he did not name the companies holding more than five licenses in Zambia, Kabuswe said those should get in touch with the ministry.
The audit conducted by the Zambian mining ministry revealed that some mining companies owned as many as 50 licences.
Mining Weekly reports that the authorities also found that some were not registered with Zambia’s patents and companies registration agency and may not be paying tax.
The licensing department, which was expected to re-open on April 11, will resume work on October 19, Kabuswe added.
Kabuswe also said illegal miners would be given 90 days of amnesty to register with the ministry of mines in Zambia.
“The Ministry of Mines has been given Cabinet approval to start the formalisation of the small-scale and artisanal miners. I think those of you that were watching the budget presentation or listening to the budget,” he added.
The minsiter also revealed that talks around unlocking Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines have advanced.
In addition, the Zambian minister also unveiled plans for reopening of the Cadastre Department, which signifies the resumption of the issuance of mining licenses.
Main Image: Copper Mine in Zambia/African Mining Project
