KAGEM Mining Limited says it has temporarily suspended mining operations citing an oversupply of Zambian emeralds and disrupted market dynamics. This is quite a surprising move and it raises critical questions about the governance, economic foresight, and regulatory framework of our mining sector. While the challenges of fluctuating international markets are real and common, we must critically examine whether shutting down operations is a sustainable or justifiable solution, especially for a mine of Kagem’s stature. What precedent does this set for the industry as a whole? Under normal circumstances, mining operations do not come to a halt merely because international prices have dipped. Mines typically continue extracting resources, stockpiling them in anticipation of a market recovery. This approach not only...