Mining Licence in Zambia| The Mufumbwe Gold Rush

The stories coming out of the Mufumbwe ‘Gold Rush’ have been heart breaking. Young are reported to have died in the process. In this video I answer 3 questions regarding how one can have have access to mining license, if I buy land do I own the minerals under it & if I am Zambian how can it be illegal for me to mine.

Sylvia Mwewa posted on how to obtain Licence’s:

Many people, especially in rural areas, engage in artisanal and small-scale mining without licenses. While this might seem easier at first, it exposes miners to risks:

✅️Legal risks: Operating without a license is illegal and can lead to arrests, fines, or confiscation of minerals.

✅️Unfair trading: Without a trading license, miners are forced to sell minerals cheaply to middlemen, losing out on their hard work.

✅️Missed opportunities: Licenses open doors to training, support, partnerships, and better prices for minerals.

By getting licensed, you protect yourself, your family, and your community’s wealth. You also help the government plan better for your area — roads, schools, and clinics all benefit from properly accounted mining revenue.

Types of Licenses You Should Know

1. Artisanal Mining License — for small-scale miners extracting minerals by simple methods.

2. Small-Scale Mining License — for those ready to scale up operations with better equipment.

3. Mineral Trading Permit — for individuals or companies who buy and sell minerals locally or for export.

How Do You Get a License?

The process is easier than most people think. Here’s a general guide:

✅ Step 1: Visit the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD)
Your local Mining Bureau office or Provincial Mining Office can help you with forms and information.

✅ Step 2: Identify an area
For artisanal mining, you must know the area where you want to mine. Ensure it is not already licensed to someone else.

✅ Step 3: Submit an application
Fill in the application form, attach required documents (like your NRC, Pacra certificate, ZRA tpin, bank statement, sketch map etc), and pay the application fee.

✅ Step 4: Wait for processing
The Ministry will check your application, inspect the area, and if all is well, grant you the license.

✅ Step 5: Comply with conditions
Pay annual fees, submit your monthly tax returns, keep basic production records, and follow environmental and safety guidelines.

✅️If more local people get proper licenses, we can reduce illegal mining deaths, conflicts over mineral ownership, and environmental damage. Communities will benefit more because licensed miners are encouraged to rehabilitate land, avoid child labour, and sell minerals at fair prices.

Let’s Take Action

✅️I urge all aspiring miners and traders not to work in the shadows. Visit your nearest mining office, ask questions, and get licensed. Together, we can turn our minerals into a true source of development for generations to come.