Two Afghan nationals arrested for illegally exploiting manganese in Mansa District

Two Afgan nationals have been charged and arrested for illegal mining of Manganese in Mansa District of Luapula Province.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, identified the two foreigners as Muhammed Ashim, aged 50, and Muhammed Munsul, aged 44, both Afghan nationals.

Mwale in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday said the two were directors of Katros Mining Limited.

He said the duo had been charged and arrested for the offence of mining without a licence contrary to section 12(1) of the Mines Minerals Development Act number 11 of 2015 of the laws of Zambia.

“Police investigations revealed that the suspects were mining Manganese at the said Mine on the strength of an expired Artisanal Mining Licence and the same manganese is not prescribed in the licence,” Mwale said.

He added that the suspects had been released on Police Bond pending court appearance.

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