Kasenseli Gold Mine reopens, as Hichilema blames past administration for company’s travails

The Kasenseli Gold Mine, which was closed in October 2021, has officially reopened following a commissioning ceremony led by President Hakainde Hichilema in Mwinilunga, North-Western Province.

Speaking at the event on Sunday, President Hichilema emphasized that major outstanding issues at the mine had now been resolved.

He pointed out that the unsafe and illegal mining activities at Kasenseli had resulted in the loss of lives, prompting the government to halt operations and implement measures to ensure the resource was exploited responsibly.

The President noted that prior to the closure, there was no proper accountability regarding the minerals extracted from the mine, depriving the host Chibwika chiefdom and the country of crucial revenue for development.

“We want to do things the right way. Accountability must be in place as we mine. Chief Chibwika’s people did not know how much gold was being taken from here, and that was not the right way,” Hichilema said.

The President directed Zambia Gold Company to invest in establishing a processing plant that would produce high-quality gold and ensure the resource was sold at a fair price.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe, stated that the reopening of the Kasenseli Gold Mine was a testament to the government’s commitment to sound mining policies.

He criticized the previous administration for managing the mine poorly, saying that operations had been chaotic and lacked proper order.

Zambia Gold Company Board Chairman, Guy Phiri, echoed same sentiment, stating that the reopening of the mine had come at a crucial time and would accelerate development in the district.

President Hichilema was accompanied by several government officials, including Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Health Elijah Muchima, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Chipoka Mulenga, Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote, Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, and Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba.

Kasenseli Gold Mine was closed by the government in 2021 due to concerns about safety and illegal mining practices.

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