Zambia: State hailed over mining conflict

SARW has, however urged Government to support local economies to grow and avoid unnecessary conflicts, especially in mining locations.
SARW Zambia campaigns officer Edward Lange said in a statement that prospective investments in the extractive industries are a potential source of conflicts between the investors, Government and local communities.
“As we get into the year 2013, we expect the government to look at the above issues seriously so as to support local economies grow and avoid unnecessary conflicts, especially in mining locations,” he said.
Mr Lange appealed to the Ministry of Mines to ensure it takes a whole inclusive approach to its new mine projects, in order to help reduce on the tension that comes with new investment.
“In the same vein, we implore the government to recognise the role that the decentralisation policy is envisaged to play, by involving local governance structures in the entire process of acquisition of prospecting and mining licenses,” he said.
SARW has also expressed concern over the absence of information on the physical presence of Barrick Gold Corporation, in Mufulira’s Ngala Local Forest Reserve and Kasaria National Forest Reserve.
Other areas include Mulilangomba, 14 and 17 Miles, as they have gone ahead and engaged local communities.
Mr Lange said some local community members have stopped farming with the hope of being relocated by the said developer.
SARW has further appealed to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency and the Ministry of Mines to be more user-friendly, with local communities where any extraction of natural resources is being done.
He said as a regional institution working in the Southern Africa Deveopment Community region, SARW condemns the issuance of prospecting and mining licenses in protected areas such as forests.
“We appeal for the revocation of the prospecting license issued for Nsato Forest, as this is a water catchment area for the Kafue River and doing so, will do more damage to the environment,” he said.
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