LUSAKA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Friday announced plans to collaborate with large-scale investors to enhance gold mining operations across the country.
Hapenga Kabeta, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, said in a statement that the initiative aims to maximize the sector's potential while ensuring that the benefits are equitably shared among citizens.
He said partnerships with experienced investors will help modernize gold mining, boost productivity, and create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.
Kabeta said the government is committed to actively participating in mining ventures, especially following the recent discovery of gold deposits in various parts of the country, a development that has also led to a rise in illegal mining activities.
The government, he said, plans to subdivide and allocate smaller sections of mining areas in Mufumbwe District, located in the western part of the country, to cooperatives to discourage nomadic mining practices while providing structured opportunities for young people.
The strategy will be extended to other gold-rich regions, he added.
He also said the ministry plans to introduce a newly developed "pit-side manual" next month, which will offer guidance on safe mining techniques to help reduce fatalities linked to informal mining operations.
Kabeta said the government aims to establish dedicated market centers for mining cooperatives to sell their gold. These centers will be modeled on successful examples in Ghana and Tanzania and are intended to streamline trade, enhance transparency, and ensure fair pricing.
