The planetGOLD Zambia Project Steering Committee (PSC) Hosts an Extraordinary Meeting to provide Guidance on Strategic Issues Involving Stakeholder Inclusion, Financial Mechanism for ASGM and Alignment of project Initiatives with Government Policy.

The planetGOLD Zambia Project Steering Committee (PSC) approved the inclusion of strategic government Institutions in the project coordination structures, harmonized the outcome of the projects review of the policy, legal and institutional framework with government policy and the proposed Fund Mechanism for ASGM.

The decisions were made during an Extraordinary PSC Meeting held on 15 September 2026, chaired by the Director of Environment Management at the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment and PSC Chairperson, Mr. Richard Mfumu Lungu.
Presenting the proposals, National Project Manager Ms. Abigail Mwailenge outlined the proposed inclusion of strategic government institutions in the project’s coordination structures, including the National Advisory Committee (NAC) and the National Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (NASGM) Technical Committee and other foreseeable committees in the future.

Ms. Mwailenge reported that the structures requested for had not yet been operationalised when the project commenced. With their being now fully operational and playing an important role in regulating Zambia’s mineral sector, the inclusion in the project committees will support stronger institutional coordination and ownership.
The Committee also approved the harmonization of the outcome of the projects review of the policy, legal and institutional framework supported by the project with the strategy being developed by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD) interventions. The harmonisation will help align the strategy with national priorities and provide a coordinated framework for the development and governance of Zambia’s gold sector, including the ASGM subsector.

The third item approved was the proposed financial mechanism for ASGM to access which is intended to improve access to appropriate financing for eligible ASGM operators. 
Speaking during the meeting, Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) Chief Executive Director Mr. Roger Tissot emphasised that transforming the ASGM sector requires more than technology.
“Technology is only, I would say, the easiest part of the question,” Mr. Tissot said, highlighting the importance of formalisation, trust and experience in addressing challenges facing the sector.

He further noted that formalisation should go beyond administrative requirements and focus on improving miners’ livelihoods and environmental sustainability.
UNEP Task Manager for the planetGOLD Zambia Project, Ms. Juliet Petlane, also highlighted the importance of access to finance and welcomed initiatives being undertaken in Zambia and by MMMD.

“Access to finance is a very important component of the project,” Ms. Petlane said, expressing hope that the project would support and enhance financing tools for Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Mfumu Lungu thanked members for their participation and contributions, encouraging the project secretariat and relevant stakeholders to take forward the guidance and decisions from the meeting.

The approved items provide further direction for strengthening institutional coordination, gold sector governance and access to finance under the planetGOLD Zambia Project.