THE decision by Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe to begin issuing mining licences to cooperatives in Mufumbwe is a significant development in the government’s ongoing efforts to formalise artisanal mining and unlock local participation in Zambia’s resource-rich economy. For too long, ordinary Zambians have remained spectators in an industry that extracts wealth from their soil. The move to bring them into the formal economy through structured cooperatives deserves commendation. Indeed, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, we have seen a deliberate push to revitalise the mining sector. From stabilising the policy environment to attracting renewed foreign interest, the UPND administration has repositioned mining as a cornerstone of Zambia’s economic recovery and long-term growth strategy. The sector today...
