Directive to halt mining activities in Lower Zambezi National Park still in force —Nzovu

Government says the directive for Mwembeshi Resources Limited to halt mining activities in the Lower Zambezi National Park is still in effect until the firm complies with the conditions given.

Last month Mwembeshi Resources Limited was ordered to cease all works in the Lower Zambezi National Park due to non compliance to conditions in the decision letter.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu, recently visited the Mwembeshi Resource Mine Site to get first hand information on what is happening and the activities going on.

Nzovu who was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Douty Chibamba, officials from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the Forestry Department also met with Lodge Owners in the area.

He said government wants to bring development to the people of Zambia which is sustainable in nature and will benefit the future generation.

“The order was still in effect until Mwembeshi Resources Limited complies with the conditions given,” Nzovu said during the visit to the site.

Mwembeshi Resources Limited Corporate Affairs Manager, Oliver Shalala, said Mwembeshi Resources Limited acknowledged that his company did not follow laid down procedures contained in the decision letter issued by ZEMA when undertaking the initial development in the mining area.

“The company did not follow laid down procedures contained in the decision letter issued by ZEMA when undertaking the initial development in the mining area,” Shalala acknowledged.

Conservation Lower Zambezi Chief Executive Director, Ian Stevenson, complained that the mining activities can destroy the wildlife in the area.

Victor Kanzala from Royal Zambezi, who is also the president of Tourism Guilders Association of Zambia complained that tourism on the Zambian side will be affected if mining goes ahead as the wildlife may migrate to the Zimbabwe side.

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