MERCURY-FREE PROCESSING SYSTEM (MFPS) PILOT SET FOR CHISAMBA’S MATIPA VILLAGE IN CENTRAL PROVINCE, ZAMBIA.

Matipa Village in Chisamba District, Central Province, Zambia has been selected as one of the pilot sites for the installation of a Mercury-Free Processing System (MFPS), a significant step toward advancing safer and more responsible Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM).

During a community engagement on December 6th in Chisamba District, Artisanal Gold Council (AGC), the  organisation executing the planetGOLD Zambia project with its project counterpart the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) had the  Executive Director Mr. Roger Tissot, state that it was important to engage with the miners personally, so that miners have an appreciation of the faces behind the planetGOLD Zambia Project and begin building a long-term partnership grounded in trust. 

Mr. Tissot reaffirmed the planetGOLD Zambia Project’s commitment to working closely with traditional leaders and local communities to ensure they directly benefit from the Mercury Free-Processing System (MFPS) solutions being introduced.

National Project Manager for the planetGOLD Zambia Project Abigail Mwailenge explained that Matipa Mining site met the basic requirements on the site-selection criteria. The community distinguished itself by securing an Artisanal Mining Right under the Kwetu Cooperative, demonstrating compliance with formalization requirements making it an ideal model site for piloting initiatives that demonstrate responsible mining, such as Craft Code, a tool for responsible gold sourcing.

The Village Headman of Matipa expressed deep gratitude for the support, noting that the Mercury Free-Processing System (MFPS) marks an important milestone for local Artisanal Gold Miners.

Local miner Ms. Christabel Salaka welcomed the development, saying the new system will help women and the wider community transition away from mercury use, ultimately improving livelihoods.

Another miner, Mr. Joseph Malambo, expressed excitement about the plant’s arrival. He hopes the entire community will benefit from the Mercury Free-Processing System (MFPS) and emphasized that its introduction will greatly reduce mercury use in the area and protect human health.