Zambia Sets 18 November Deadline for Illegal Miners to Leave Muchinga Sites
Zambia Gives Illegal Miners in Mpika and Shiwang’andu Until 18 November to Vacate Sites
The Government has directed illegal miners operating in Muchinga Province to vacate mining sites by 18 November 2026 as authorities move to formalise artisanal mining and address environmental damage.
The exercise, involving the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) and the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, includes mining areas in Mpika and Shiwang’andu districts.
In Mpika, identified sites include Kamambwe, Kanyelele and Danger Hill. Informal miners are required to leave the affected areas to allow authorities to demarcate sites and subsequently allocate mining rights to eligible artisanal miners.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Mpika, Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Grant Chisapa warned that miners who fail to leave voluntarily would face removal by the Zambia Army. The enforcement operation is expected to take place between 18 and 22 November.
Chisapa said unregulated mining had contributed to environmental destruction, unsafe working conditions and water pollution, citing contamination concerns involving the Kanchibiya, Kanyelele and Munenshi rivers.
He urged operators to obtain the necessary licences and comply with safety and environmental requirements, stressing that Government would not tolerate illegal mining.
The MRC said the formalisation programme was intended to create an orderly framework for lawful mining and provide legitimate opportunities for Zambians to participate in the sector.
The Commission is engaging traditional leaders, miners and surrounding communities to explain the process ahead of site demarcation and the allocation of mining rights.
Under Section 20(2) of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act No. 14 of 2024, artisanal mining may only be undertaken by a Zambian citizen or a cooperative composed entirely of Zambian citizens.
Section 20(5) provides that a company or foreign national seeking to partner with an artisanal mining rights holder must obtain the holder’s written consent and prior written approval from the Commission.
Traditional leaders have welcomed the intervention, citing damage to land, pollution and other problems affecting communities around mining sites.
Authorities say the exercise is aimed at bringing mining activities within the law while strengthening environmental protection, accountability and oversight.
