The planetGOLD Zambia Project Advances Jurisdiction and Landscape Approach in Mpika and Shiwang’andu Districts, Muchinga Province.

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.

Recognising this need, the planetGOLD Zambia Project convened a Landscape and Jurisdictional Approach engagement at Kanyelele Mining Site, Mpika District and in Shiwagandu District on 22nd and 23rd June 2026, bringing together members of the District Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (DASGM) Committee (government institutions), miners and traditional leaders. 
Facilitated by Project Communications Officer at both ASGM sites, Mr. Jefferson Kapasa, the engagement introduced the Jurisdiction and Landscape Approach, which promotes coordinated management of mining activities across an entire landscape while balancing environmental protection, economic development and community wellbeing.

Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) representative Mr. Steven Mamphulu emphasised compliance with environmental Regulations and licensing requirements, emphasising that responsible mining begins with protecting people and the environment.

Mpika DASGM Vice Chairperson Reagan Ntalasha called for greater national ownership of Zambia's mineral resources, noting that responsible management of the country's mineral wealth is essential to achieving sustainable economic growth. 
The discussions provided miners with an opportunity to share the realities affecting their communities. Miner Helen Kashimilo recounted how foreign mining interests had displaced local residents from their land, highlighting the social impacts that poorly managed mining can have on communities.

Mr. Joseph Mwale, a miner urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and implement practical solutions to challenges such as poor tailings management and the use of hazardous chemicals.

Responding to these concerns, Project Metallurgist Mr. Chikatala Munsanje reaffirmed that reducing and, where possible, eliminating mercury use remains central to the Project's efforts to promote responsible mining while encouraging broader environmental stewardship.

Meanwhile, in Shiwang’andu, DASGM Committee Chairperson Mr. Ferdinand Chitumbo encouraged the mining community to put their newly acquired knowledge into action and begin planning for the rehabilitation of land degraded by Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities.
The engagements concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, mining communities and traditional leaders in addressing environmental and governance challenges affecting the ASGM sector. 

The planetGOLD Zambia Project will continue supporting the implementation of the the Jurisdiction and Landscape Approach by strengthening collaboration among local stakeholders and integrating environmental management into broader formalisation efforts across Mpika and Shiwangandu Districts.