Jefferson Kapasa

On 14 September 2026, the planetGOLD Zambia Project held its Third Quarter National Advisory Committee (NAC) Review Meeting to assess progress made during the third quarter and provide operational guidance on project implementation.

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which hosts the planetGOLD Zambia Project through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment conducted an inspection of the project’s Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS) pilot site in Mpika District.

On 8 August 2026, the planetGOLD Zambia Project partnered with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development to engage Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners at the Sasare Mining Site in Lusangazi District, Eastern Province on responsible mining practices, formalisation and mercury-free gold processing.

The planetGOLD Zambia Project concluded a successful five-day exhibition at the 2026 Zambia Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka Province, held from 29th July to 3rd August under the theme “Fostering Trade and Investment.” The project used the platform to showcase research insights, Mercury-Free Processing Systems (MFPS), and ongoing efforts to transform Zambia’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector into a more formal and responsible sector.

On 29th June, the planetGOLD Zambia Project convened an Extraordinary Meeting of the National Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (NASGM) Technical Committee in Lusaka to continue reviewing the policy, legal and institutional framework and explore a pathway for the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector.

Mercury dependency in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) remains a major challenge in the sector and poses environmental and public health risks. Continued reliance on mercury not only threatens the health of miners and surrounding communities but also limits opportunities to participate in formal trade that meets international market standards aligned with responsible gold sourcing guidelines.

On 7th August 2026, the planetGOLD Zambia Project participated in a Government-led assessment mission to Lusangazi District in Eastern Province aimed at evaluating the area's gold mining potential while ensuring that environmental protection and responsible mining remain central to any future mining decisions.

Access to finance remains one of the challenges facing Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASGM) in Zambia. With a growing population participating in ASGM activities, limited financial management skills, poor record keeping and inadequate business planning continue to prevent miners from accessing formal financial services and attracting investment. Without these skills, ASGM businesses struggle to grow and develop sustainably.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) contributes significantly to livelihoods in Mpika and Shiwagandu Districts, but the sector continues to face challenges that extend beyond individual mining sites. Environmental degradation, weak regulatory compliance and absence of a coordination mechanism among stakeholders often undermine responsible mining and sustainable community development. These issues require collective action rather than isolated interventions.

As demand for responsibly sourced gold grows globally, Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASGM) are increasingly expected to demonstrate that their gold is traceable and mined responsibly in accordance with recognised international standards such as the OECD guide lines.