Some Stakeholders Applaud Zambia’s Govt’s Decision to Halt Lower Zambezi Mining operations
Various stakeholders, including environmental defenders, activists, and civil society organizations, have commended the government’s decision to cancel mining operations in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
The cancellation, specifically for Mwembeshi Resources Limited, is seen as setting a crucial precedent for the responsible exploration of mineral resources in Zambia.
In a collective statement addressed to the National broadcaster ZNBC News, the stakeholders emphasized the non-political nature of the decision to revoke environmental permission for mining.
They not only recommended a full withdrawal of the mining license issued by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development for the Lower Zambezi project but also urged the government to engage with the people in Luangwa to devise sustainable alternatives for improving livelihoods based on the district’s unique ecological and environmental economy.
Furthermore, the stakeholders called for the enactment of legislation prohibiting all forms of mining in ecologically sensitive areas.
They urged the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to refrain from issuing mining licenses in environmentally sensitive zones such as national parks and protected areas.
The stakeholders also appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to allow the expansion of mining activities in the Lochinvar National Park and other similarly situated exploration and mining projects in Zambia.
Signatories to the statement include Care for Nature Zambia, Caritas Zambia, Centre for Environmental Justice, Conservation Advocates Zambia, Healing Tree of Nations, and activist Tilyenji Kaunda.
Other endorsing organizations include Mizu Eco Care, Namfumu Conservation Trust, Norwegian Church Aid and Dan Church Aid – Joint Country Programme, Save Zambezi, Safe Zambezi, Southern Africa Resource Watch, Transparency International Zambia, World-Wide Fund for Nature Zambia, and Zambian Governance Foundation.
SOURCE:ZNBC
