The planetGOLD Zambia Project Hosts Extraordinary NASGM Technical Committee Meeting

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.
The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC), academia, miners’ associations and civil society organisations to review the policy, legal and institutional framework.
Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) representative, Mr. Malfred Moolela, acknowledged the significant contribution of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners to Zambia’s economy while recognising the persistent challenges facing the sector.
"Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners play a critical role in Zambia's economy. However, the sector continues to face challenges such as informality and environmental degradation that require long-term strategic solutions."

Mr. Moolela reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the review of the legal framework, describing the review as an important framework that will guide the sustainable development and governance of Zambia’s ASGM sector.
Speaking during the meeting, the planetGOLD Zambia Project National Manager, Ms. Abigail Mwailenge, reaffirmed the Project’s commitment to transforming the ASGM sector through formalisation and improved governance of the sector.
She explained that while Zambia already has an overarching ASM strategy, ongoing policy, legal and institutional framework reviews had demonstrated the need for a dedicated pathway specifically addressing the unique characteristics of gold mining.
She further emphasised that institutional coordination remains critical because mercury management cuts across several sectors, including environmental management, water development and community development. While Zambia has progressive mining legislation, she observed that many miners remain outside the formal economy due to complex licensing procedures and limited institutional presence in mining districts.

"Zambia has enacted very progressive laws. However, while they work well in theory, licensing pathways remain inaccessible in practice for many Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners."
During discussions, committee members raised several practical barriers facing miners. Mr. Malfred Moolela observed that obtaining consent letters remains one of the most time-consuming aspects of the licensing process and suggested developing a single comprehensive consent mechanism involving all relevant government agencies.

Representatives from miners’ cooperatives also highlighted the high costs charged for consent letters by some exploration license holders and traditional authorities, which continue to discourage formalisation.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Abigail Mwailenge thanked participants for their active engagement and encouraged members to continue making recommendations that would strengthen the review of the legal framework for the ASGM sector.