Zambia’s Gold production drops by 38%

Zambia’s 2022 annual Gold Production has dropped from 2,432 metric tons produced in the previous year 2021 to now 1,515 metric tons produced in the year 2022.

According to a consolidated mineral production report obtained by the Zambian Business Times –ZBT, the 2022 reduction represent 917 metric tons. The drop is largely attributed to lack of traction by the mines ministry to formalize known artisanal mining activities and failure to timely re-open Kansenseli and Mumbwa Gold Mines among others.

At a time when gold mining is supposed to have been on the increase, traditional leaders and concerned residents of Mwinilunga in North Western Province have told ZBT that corrupt senior officials in government have been resisting re-opening the gold mine as they have some illegal miners sneaking in to mine.

A legislator from the gold rich Mwinilunga district accused the Zambia National Service – ZNS ( a state security wing charged with the responsibility of guarding the mine) of facilitating gold theft from then closed Kasenseli mine. Gold mining is a Lucrative amen which can be financed even locally but some corrupt government technocrats want to sell to cash in on commission and facilitation fees.

Meanwhile, a Mining Expert Edward Simukonda has attributed this massive decline to the continued closing and failure to re-open gold mines like the state owned Kasenseli Gold Mine and Mumbwa Gold mine among others. Simukonda told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT- that the continued closure of the state owned gold mine and others is negatively affecting Gold production in the Country resulting into reduced forex inflows.

The continued closure of the state owned Kasenseli Gold Mine in Mwinilunga District is also affecting the country’s revenue generation. Simukonda said Government had also restructured its system at the Cadestre department which he said had also affected a number of companies leading to the slowed down production. 

SOURCE:zambiabusinesstimes