Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia Board Chairman Mr. Simon Njovu says formalising artisanal small-scale mining has the potential to bring economic stability because money generated will not be externalised.
Speaking during the recent Sustainability Conference, which was held in Germany, Mr. Njovu said artisanal small-scale miners have for a long time been scavenging slug dumps, which were mined by large scale mines but should now be formalised.
He said small scale miners are also exposed to health hazards because they are not formalised and mostly operate illegally adding that formalizing their operations will reduce risks.
Mr. Njovu pointed out that mining activities result in deforestation but if miners are properly equipped and funded, they can be encouraged to plant trees on land equivalent to the area they are mining on to mitigate the impact of mining activities.
He said Europe stands to benefit by supporting small scale miners and ensuring that the supply chain for critical minerals is more transparent, sustainable and free from the exploitation that is currently rampant in Africa as this will allow western countries to certify that their products are sourced ethically.
Mr. Njovu said despite the challenges that small scale miners were facing, the sector can be a key driver of local and global economic growth with proper support.
And Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E Winnie Natala Chibesakunda said artisanal small-scale miners should not only be formalised but need to be equipped with training and geological survey equipment so that they have meaningful stakes in the mineral resources.
Picture caption: Mr Simon Njovu (Second from left)