Zambian government to buy gold from artisanal miners

Zam Gold (a corporation established to buy gold on behalf of the government) will soon commence operations in Kanyelele area in Mpika District, Zambia. After large deposits of alluvial gold found in Mpika caused a gold rush in the area, the Zambian government decided to work with the local Chikwanda and Mukwikile chiefdoms to ensure the people of Kanyelele area benefited from the recently discovered gold in their community. To this end, the government legalized artisanal mining in the area and set up Zam Gold to purchase the gold. According to Copperbelt Katanga Mining, Chairman of the Board of the Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia Simon Njovu advised “the government to expel foreigners who are taking advantage of the current situation and implement measures to ensure that local people, especially the youth and women, benefit. For far too long, we have witnessed foreigners seizing control of our resources, and this trend must be halted.” According to the Lusaka Times, Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Henry Mukunguke observed that prior to the recent action taken by the Zambian government, the local people were cheated by foreigners because they did not know the value of the gold they were selling them. The local chiefdoms will be able to identify the local citizens that qualify for artisanal gold mining licenses. As reported by the Lusaka Times, a team comprising the Zambia National Service, Zam Gold, the Ministry of Mining and its Cadastral Department arrived in Mpika on Thursday, September 14, 2023, to determine a suitable site for Zam Gold to purchase the gold.