LUSAKA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A conference to reorganize Zambia's artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector opened Tuesday in the capital, Lusaka, with President Hakainde Hichilema reaffirming the government's commitment to ensuring that small-scale miners benefit fully from the country's mineral wealth.
The inaugural 2025 Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Conference, held under the theme "Unlocking ASM Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Development," has drawn a wide range of stakeholders, including miners, to address persistent challenges.
Hichilema stressed the importance of legalizing artisanal mining by encouraging operators to obtain proper licenses, noting that about 1,400 have been issued so far.
"Small-scale mining can make a significant contribution to economic development if properly structured," Hichilema said. "We want to legalize operations that are currently illegal by issuing licenses. We want law and order in the sector."
The president warned officials against corruption in the licensing process, urging transparency and efficiency. He also emphasized the need to formalize the mineral trade so that miners can access fair market prices instead of being exploited by so-called "briefcase buyers."
To strengthen reforms, the government recently dispatched a fact-finding delegation to Ghana and Tanzania to study how those countries have formalized their ASM sectors, he said.
Hichilema further raised concerns about unsafe mining conditions that have cost lives and cautioned against the use of mercury in mineral processing, citing its harmful impact on water resources. He said the government plans to establish processing facilities to promote safer and more environmentally friendly practices. ■