Opposition Green Party President, Peter Sinkamba, has expressed concern over the involvement of foreign nationals in illegal mining and mineral processing activities in Zambia.
This follows a recent decision by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to suspend operations at two Chinese-run mines in Kasempa District, North-Western Province, after uncovering illegal gold and copper ore processing.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Sinkamba questioned how foreign nationals are able to carry out such activities despite Zambia’s strict mining regulations.
“It is suspicious that foreign nationals could be engaging in such illegalities without having back up from the government’’, said Mr. Sinkamba.
He also criticized government for prioritizing the issuance of mining licenses to foreigners over Zambians, something he described as a reflection of a government that appears more aligned with foreign interests under the guise of promoting foreign direct investment.
By Christabel Kamunu
