GOVERNMENT has granted 975 artisanal and small-scale mining licences to Zambians as part of efforts to formalise the subsector.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Brenda Tambatamba also said more than 2,000 artisanal miners drawn from over 900 cooperatives have been trained in responsible mining practices.
Tambatamba shared the figures in Parliament yesterday during her presentation of a ministerial statement on latest developments in the mining sector.
"These interventions are intended to build the technical and entrepreneurial capacity of local miners, improve compliance with mining regulations and facilitate their transition into formal and sustainable mining operations," Tambatamba said.
The training, which covered occupational health and safety, environmental management and financial literacy, was conducted in Solwezi, Kasempa, Mpika, Choma and Kabwe districts.
Tambatamba said government is committed to increasing participation locals in the mining sector through formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining.
She said the mining sector remains a strategic pillar of Zambia's economy and government remains committed to developing a sector that is productive, competitive and sustainable.
Meanwhile, Tambatamba revealed to the house that Government is formulating Critical Minerals Regulations to promote value addition and stop the export of raw minerals.
This is being implemented to shift from extraction and export of raw minerals to processing and manufacturing locally.
"Our objective is to move beyond the extraction and export of raw minerals towards the development of domestic processing and manufacturing capabilities that will generate more jobs, create business opportunities and retain greater economic value within Zambia," Tambatamba said.
She said the increasing global demand for critical minerals presents Zambia with an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global minerals value chain.
To support the agenda, Tambatamba said government has developed a National Critical Skills List to align skills development with industrialisation objectives.
She said since 2021, US$12.1 billion in mining investments have been committed or are under implementation across major projects including Mopani, Konkola, Kansanshi, Lumwana, Lubambe, Luanshya, Mingomba and Enterprise Nickel Mine.
Tambatamba said government has also operationalised the Minerals Regulation Commission and the Mining Appeals Tribunal to strengthen regulation and dispute resolution, with 1,060 licences granted and 39 cases handled respectively.
Kalemba November 12, 2026
