MINES and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe says government will begin issuing mining licences to cooperatives in Mufumbwe on Wednesday, allowing them to start operations at Kikonge Mine. Kabuswe has also revealed that government created a “deal room” housed at the Ministry of Finance and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), aimed at helping Zambian licence holders negotiate better terms with investors. Recently, the government suspended mining activities at Kikonge to formalise artisanal mining in the area. Speaking on ZNBC’s Sunday Interview, Kabuswe announced that the licensing process would commence this week, but emphasised that access to mining rights at Kikonge would not be restricted to Mufumbwe residents alone. “The way forward on the Kikonge mine in Mufumbwe, in fact from...
