Zambia Govt Introduces Equipment-Based Support Under Artisanal Mining Fund
Zambia Restricts Cash Disbursements, Shifts to Equipment Support for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners
The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has announced that mining cooperatives benefiting from the newly established Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund will receive support in the form of equipment rather than direct cash disbursements.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, said the decision follows lessons learned from previous financing programmes in which some beneficiaries misused allocated funds.
He explained that the equipment-based support model is intended to strengthen accountability and ensure government assistance is directly invested in productive mining activities.
Dr. Kabeta made the remarks during a meeting in Mpika with mining cooperatives that recently completed the third phase of a structured training programme.
He disclosed that the government is finalising a recovery mechanism to ensure resources provided to artisanal miners are repaid, enabling the fund to operate as a sustainable revolving facility.
He further revealed that the demarcation of artisanal mining areas is currently underway in Mufumbwe District of North-Western Province.
Access to these designated mining zones will be restricted to registered miners issued with official identity cards linked to their National Registration Card (NRC) details.
The measure is aimed at curbing illegal mining activities and preventing abuse of the programme by unauthorized individuals.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to formalise the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, enhance miner welfare, and promote sustainable development within Zambia’s mining industry.
