Jefferson Kapasa

In Eastern Province, Vubwi District, where Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sustains many households, Big Team is using music as a powerful tool for awareness and change. The group is made up of three artists, Henry Mhone (stage name Baxter), Ruben Mwale (stage name Leorex), and George Phiri (stage name Geo Brie). United by their passion for music and community development, the trio is committed to promoting responsible mining practices through Music.

On 5th March, the planetGOLD Zambia Project convened a round table discussion aimed at unlocking sustainable financing solutions for Zambia’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector and exploring a proposed financial flow model designed to improve miners’ access to finance, connect them to formal and legal gold markets and promote responsible mining practices.

On 17 March 2026, ZCCM-Investment Holdings Plc and the planetGOLD Zambia Project signed a landmark MoU to enable gold offtake from the project’s mercury-free processing sites, a major step toward strengthening formal and traceable gold supply chains in Zambia.

On 8th March, the planetGOLD Zambia Project joined the Rufunsa District Administration, traditional leaders, women miners and other stakeholders in Rufunsa District to commemorate International Women’s Day under the global theme “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”

On 26 February 2026, the planetGOLD Zambia Project conducted a familiarisation tour of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Metallurgical Laboratory at the School of Mines. The visit marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between the project and academic institutions in advancing mercury-reduction and mercury-free gold processing technologies in Zambia.

On 17th February, the planetGOLD Zambia Project held a Landscape Consultation Meeting in Mpika District, Muchinga Province. The meeting focused on the landscape approach, a holistic framework for managing land, resources, and mining activities in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector in Mpika District. This approach seeks to balance economic, social, and environmental objectives across a region, ensuring that mining contributes to sustainable development, protects ecosystems, and empowers local communities, rather than addressing challenges in isolation.

On 16th February, the planetGOLD Zambia Project conducted a Gender Mapping and Mainstreaming engagement at Mutamba Catholic Church in Mpika District, Muchinga Province bringing together Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners, District Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Technical Committee (DASGM), to strengthen gender inclusion with a focus on integration of women in active participation in mining.

On 19th February, the planetGOLD Zambia Project established the grassroot Community Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Committee (CASGM) in Shiwang’andu District aimed at strengthening formalisation and sector coordination.

On 12th February, the planetGOLD Zambia Project conducted a Gender Mapping and Mainstreaming engagement in Matipa Area of Chisamba District, Central Province in collaboration with the District Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Technical Committee (DASGM).

The planetGOLD Zambia Project National Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (NASGM) Technical Committee and National Advisory Committee (NAC) undertook a familiarisation mission to the Kabombo ASGM site in Rufunsa District, Lusaka, Zambia on 18 September. The visit brought together representatives from key government ministries, civil society and development partners to gain a deeper understanding of conditions within artisanal mining sites.