Zambia’s Small-Scale Miners Urge Legal Protection for Local Ownership
SSMAZ Urges Zambia to Enact Laws Protecting Local Mine Ownership as Government Expands ASM Support
The Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia (SSMAZ) has called on the government to enact legislation protecting local ownership of small-scale mines, warning that limited access to financing continues to threaten the survival of local operators.
Speaking on behalf of the association, SSMAZ President Ngobola Muyembe said a stronger legal framework is needed to prevent small-scale miners from being forced to sell their assets or licenses due to financial constraints.
“Many small-scale miners lose their mining rights or properties because they cannot access affordable financing,” Muyembe said. “We urge the government to put in place laws that guarantee local ownership and long-term sustainability.”
He commended the government’s efforts to formalize and support the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, but emphasized that policy reforms must be backed by enforceable legislation to secure the future of Zambian miners.
Responding to these concerns, Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development Principal Public Relations Officer, Shamwinde Tembo, confirmed that the government is intensifying efforts to empower small-scale miners through training and infrastructure initiatives.
Tembo revealed that a 20-day training program for 400 artisanal miners was recently launched in North-Western Province, designed to improve technical capacity and promote safer, more profitable mining practices.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating artisanal and small-scale miners into Zambia’s broader mineral development agenda, highlighting its role in inclusive and sustainable growth.
“The 2026 National Budget allocates 1.2 billion Kwacha to the Ministry of Mines, with 449.5 million Kwacha dedicated to empowering artisanal and small-scale miners,” Tembo announced.
The SSMAZ continues to advocate for greater access to finance, legal protections, and capacity building to ensure that Zambia’s mineral wealth benefits local communities and future generations.
