The government has made it clear that illegal mining will not be accepted, regardless of the economic difficulties that people are facing.
UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe pointed out that even though the government knows many Zambians are struggling, breaking the law is never the right choice. He reminded everyone that all land in Zambia is owned by the Republican President, and mining must be done with the right paperwork.
Zambia has strict land and mining laws, which are based on the constitution and more than 23 Acts of Parliament. Mr. Simuuwe highlighted that statutory law is more important than customary law, meaning only the government can control mining activities.
There are worries about illegal mining operations that are backed by foreign companies, and sometimes they even have armed guards. “This is a national security issue,” Mr. Simuuwe warned. We cannot let illegal mining get out of hand like it has in other countries.
After recent violent confrontations between police and illegal miners, he emphasized that the aim is to bring back order, not to hurt citizens. The government wants to avoid tragedies like those in Chingola, where lives were lost because of dangerous mining practices.
The government supports legal mining with the right training and documentation, saying, “The answer lies in formalization—not political blackmail.”
Mr. Simuuwe warned against using crime as a way to survive, reminding us that this kind of thinking could lead to chaos and a breakdown of law and order.
He finished with a call to action: “As we remember those we’ve lost, let’s promise to follow safe, legal, and regulated mining practices to secure our future.”
