Gvt to introduce mining extension services to monitor operations
In an effort to ensure safety standards, responsible mining and sustainable mining development in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) the government is going to introduce mining extension services to monitor mining operations closely, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Zhemu Soda said.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to Hon Soda, safety is of concern in the ASM sector therefore the government was prepared to take necessary measures to promote safety and responsible mining as part of the government agenda to adopt and promote issues to do with Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).
Soda said the government is already carrying out Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) awareness campaigns to promote responsible mining at the same time carrying out regular inspections to check for compliance.
He said gold service centres would also be introduced where there will be shared resources in terms of human capital providing technical know-how to surrounding operating mines.
“The government carries out regular SHE awareness campaigns, promotes responsible mining methods and carries out regular inspections to check for compliance with safety standards as well as enforcement of such standards. Going forward, the government is targeting the formalisation of the small-scale mining sector to enhance the environmental, social and governance framework for this important sector. The government will also introduce mining extension services to closely monitor mining operations. Gold Service Centres will also be introduced where there will be shared resources in terms of human capital providing technical know-how to surrounding operating mines, enhancing the visibility of government at mining operations. The Government will periodically issue precautionary statements in the media as a measure to increase safety awareness and encourage responsible mining,” Hon Soda said.
Official figures show that, in 2019, 116 accidents occurred resulting in 182 fatalities, in 2020, 158 accidents occurred resulting in 161 fatalities, in 2021, 121 accidents occurred resulting in 139 fatalities, and in 2022, 170 accidents occurred resulting in 185 fatalities.
These statistics also show that one miner died every week on average over the past five years, 185 were killed over the year 2022 indicates a persistent trend. These statistics indicate that the majority of these accidents (83%) occur in the non-chamber affiliated mines category, that is to say mostly in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.