A KEYNOTE SPEECH FOR THE FIRST PROVINCIAL MINING INDABA PRESENTED BY THE VICAR GENERAL, OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SOLWEZI AT BISHOP POTANI LODGE ON WEDNESDAY 6TH JUNE, 2017
- THE HONORABLE PROVINCIAL MINISTER
- YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESSES PRESENT
- ALL DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND INVITED GUESTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT, OUR COOPERATING PARTNERS AND CONSTITUENT CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
- THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS PRESENT
- ALLOW ME TO SIMPLY SAY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST
I’M GREATLY HONOURED TO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ADDRESS THIS SPECIAL CONVOCATION OF THE FIRST PROVINCIAL ALTERNATIVE MINING INDABA WITH THE THEME
“BENEFITTING FROM MINING SECTOR THROUGH ENGAGEMENT WITH PEOPLE, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT”.
THIS CONFERENCE COULD NOT COME AT A BETTER TIME THAN THIS ONE WHEN WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOME TURBULANCES IN THE MINING INDUSTRY IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE AND THE COUNTRY AT LARGE. THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE IS ENDOWED WITH ABUNDANT NATURAL RESOURCES RANGING FROM COPPER, GOLD, COBALT, URANIUM AND LARGE FOREST RESERVE BASE.
THE HOSTING OF THIS PROVINCIAL INDABA HELPS US REFLECT ON BOTH THE PROS AND CONS OF THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY AND IN PARTICULAR, MINING WITH ITS BENEFITS SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, UPLIFTING THE LIVES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, HELPING IN BOOSTING THE PROVINCE’S ECONOMY AND PAYMENT OF ROYALTY TAXES TO THE PROVINCIAL TREASURY WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY USES FUNDS REALISED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ACROSS THE PROVINCE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT IS TIME TO REFLECT ON THE CONTINUOUS CHALLENGES COMMUNITIES IN MINING AREAS FACE WHO ARE UNABLE TO FAIRLY BENEFIT FROM THEIR RESOURCE-RICH SURROUNDINGS, AND CIVIL SOCIETIES’ IMPORTANT ROLE OF PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY. THIS APPARENTLY IS WHAT CREATES THE PARAMETERS OF MY SPEECH.
FROM THE ON SET LET ME HASTEN TO SAY THAT WE HAVE FIVE STAKEHOLDERS WHOSE ROLES WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND AND SEEK CLARITY IN FULLER APPRECIATION OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT NAMELY;
THE GOVERNMENT, THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INVESTORS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION AND CHURCHES, LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS THE CUSTODIAN OF HER PEOPLE AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES HENCE THE NEED FOR THEM TO SET THE AGENDA FOR THE EMANCIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF HER CITIZENRY. FOR THIS ROLE TO BE ATTAINED THEY WILL BE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE TO SHARE PLANS OF THEIR INTENTION TO DEVELOP A CERTAIN SECTOR OF OUR SOCIETY APPROPRIATELY IN RESONANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE LAND, AND WORK OUT OR IMPLEMENT A PROFICIENT, REWARDING AND SUSTAINABLE PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE IN JUSTICE AND FAIRPLAY.
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHETHER POOR OR RICH, LITERATE OR ILLITERATE PROVIDES THE PLATFORM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PROXIMAL ENVIRONMENT. IF THIS COMMUNITY IS NOT EMPOWERED ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF DEVELOPMENT, THEIR BENEFIT, RESPONSIBILITY AND THEIR LIMITATIONS, THEY WILL BE A SOURCE OF AN AVOIDABLE CONFLICT FOR ANY INVESTOR. IF WELL CONSIDERED AND CONSULTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN, THE SKY IS A LIMIT FOR YOUR SUCCESS. PLEASE NOTE, IAM NOT SAYING YOU CONSULT EVERY JACK AND JANE. BUT CONSULT WITH TRADITONAL AND LOCAL LEADERS AND OTHER SUBSEQUENT CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION!
SINCERE AND AUTHENTIC INVESTORS ARE A BLESSING TO ANY SECTOR OF SOCIETY THAT SEEKS DEVELOPMENT. IN MOST CASES THESE ARE BUSINESS ENTITIES HENCE THEY ARE PROFIT ORIENTED OPERATIONS AND MODUS OPERANDI. THEY SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD SO THAT WE AVAIL THEM WITH A LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT HELPS THEM IN UNDERSTANDING THE OPERATIONAL ETHICS, LABOUR LAWS, A JUST WAGE AND AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PROSPERITY AND SUSTENANCE OF THEIR BUSINESS. THEY ARE NOT OF COURSE A RELIGIOUS GROUP THAT IS MANDATED TO PROVIDE ALMSGIVING TO THE POOR. HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALERGIC TO GENUINE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IF THEY ARE TO ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND APPEASE THE SPIRITS FOR THEIR SUCCESS.
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND CHURCHES ARE WHISTLE BLOWERS LIKE A REFEREE IN THE FOOTBALL MATCH IN ENSURING JUSTICE AND PEACE, FAIR PLAY AND EQUITY. THEY ARE THE SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS VOICE OF GOD RESPECTIVELY AND THUS ONE DISREGARDS THEIR ADVICE AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS DUE TO THE MASSIVE EXPERIENCE THEY MAY HAVE AMASSED OVER THE YEARS OFFER VARIOUS RESOURCES AND FUNCTIONAL AND QUALITY EXPERTISE IN UPLIFTING THE STANDARDS OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. THEY ARE A FRIENDLY FORCE TO THOSE WHO MEAN WELL.
THEREFORE, AS WE EMBARK ON THE DELIBERATIONS OF THIS INAUGURAL INDABA CONFERENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERLINE THE FACT THAT DESPITE HAVING RICH MINERAL RESOURCES UNDER SELF – RULE AS ZAMBIANS FOR FIFTY YEARS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN ABJECT POVERTY STILL REMAINS HIGH ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE IS THE SECOND MOST POOREST PROVINCE IN ZAMBIA. AFTER A DECADE OF BUOYANT GROWTH, ALMOST HALF OF ZAMBIANS STILL LIVE ON LESS THAN $1.25 DOLLARS A DAY. BETWEEN 2004 AND 2014, I AM SURE WE ALL WATCHED ZAMBIA’S RECENT IMPRESSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH FASCINATION AND THIS PROGRESS WAS LAUDABLE. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, DROPPING COPPER PRICES, DISTURBING INCREASES IN INEQUALITY AND POVERTY, AS WELL AS LOSING MONEY THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCE PLUNDER AND FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT HAVE BEEN ARE A CAUSE OF GREAT CONCERN. IF WE DO NOTHING TO STOP THE PLUNDER, THEN WE WILL ALL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. NOT TODAY PERHAPS, BUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
WHY TALK ABOUT MINING?
ZAMBIA’S EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN AN ESSENTIAL AND INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHICH CAN BE TRACED TO PRE-COLONIAL DAYS. MINING IS INDEED A GLOBAL INDUSTRY. IT HAS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE BUILDING OF THE ECONOMY OF OUR BELOVED COUNTRY; AND HAS CREATED JOBS FOR MANY PEOPLE IN THE MINING REGIONS BESIDES TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.
HOWEVER, WE WOULD LIKE TO REFLECT ON MINING AS AN ISSUE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE WITH ITS SOCIAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON NATURE.
WHY THE PROVINCIAL MINING INDABA?
THE INDABA OFFERS US AN OPPORTUNE MOMENT, A FORUM FOR ALL STAKE-HOLDERS AS MENTIONED ABOVE TO DILIGENTLY DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN RELATION TO THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY AND HOW THIS SECTOR CAN BE USED TO BRING ABOUT REAL AND GENUINE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COUNTRY. WE, THEREFORE ARE PRIVILEGED TO COME UP WITH RESOLUTIONS THAT WILL ENABLE US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SAFEGUARDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION WITHOUT APOLOGIES.
THE PROVINCIAL MINING INDABA WAS NECESSITATED BY THE PROVINCE’S WELFARE WHICH HAS GENERALLY FAILED TO IMPROVE DESPITE MARKED IMPROVEMENTS IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND HUGE INVESTMENT IN THE MINING SECTOR. ZAMBIA HAS YET TO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN SOCIAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT. SOCIAL INDICATORS HAVE SHOWN NOT ONLY MODEST IMPROVEMENTS, BUT HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE YOUTH WHILE INCOME INEQUALITIES HAVE WIDENED. THE SUBSEQUENT GROWTH OF THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY IN THE PROVINCE HAS TRIGGERED A MYRIAD OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS.
FOR INSTANCE, MINERAL EXTRACTION IN SOME SITUATIONS IS ACCOMPANIED BY CONFLICT, LAND AND WATER THEFT, ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION, AND LABOUR EXPLOITATION AND CONTRIBUTES TO RUNAWAY CLIMATE CHANGE THAT HAS MOST SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED ON ITS VULNERABLE POPULATION. IN SOME INSTANCES EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED THE TOPOGRAPHY AND VISUAL CHARACTERS OF OUR LAND. IT IS DESTROYING NATURAL HABITS, AND IMPACTING ADVERSELY ON BIODIVERSITY. IN SOME CASES MINING CONTINUES TO CONTAMINATE, AND DEGRADING OUR SOIL THROUGH ACIDIFICATION AND POLLUTION. IT CREATES ZONES, WHICH POSE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS TO MINING COMMUNITIES.
THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY HAS MANAGED TO AFFECT OR IMPACT PEOPLE’S LIVES BOTH POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY, UNFORTUNATELY THE NEGATIVE ASPECT TENDS TO WIN IN MANY OF THE EXAMPLES OF MINING COMMUNITIES IN THE PROVINCE. SOME COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO BE RAVAGED BY EFFECTS OF BIG MINING COMPANIES IN THE PROVINCE WHILE OTHERS HAVE BEEN FORCEFULLY REMOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR LARGE DAMS. RIVERS USED BY PEOPLE FOR THEIR BASIC WATER NEEDS HAVE DRIED UP OR HAVE BECOME POLLUTED. OTHER RIVERS AND COMMUNITIES HAVE BECOME DUMPSITES FOR WASTE PRODUCTS OF MINES. THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY HAS NOW SEEN INCREASE IN MINE ACCIDENTS AND COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF MINE RELATED ACTIVITIES.
THROUGH THE INDABA, WE WOULD LIKE TO CALL UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT ALL INVESTORS ADOPT “SUSTAINABLE, ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE MINING”. LOCAL COMMUNITIES NEED MINING COMPANIES THAT RESPECT PEOPLE’S RIGHTS AND HAVE A HUMAN FACE.
DEBATES ABOUT TAXATION, REVENUE LEAKAGES AND REVENUE SHARING MECHANISM AND ITS ROLE IN REDUCING INCOME INEQUALITY ARE BEGINNING TO GAIN TRACTION. THEREFORE, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH IN THE PROVINCE ARE CALLING FOR FAIR TAXATION OF COMPANIES.
FURTHERMORE, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROMISED A VIBRANT, ROBUST, PROGRESSIVE AND BENEFICIAL TAXATION SYSTEM TOWARDS THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR MORE ESPECIALLY THE MINING SECTOR. GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO PRIORITISE MEANINGFUL REVENUE GENERATION FROM THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR AND ENSURE THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE MEANINGFULLY TOWARDS THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROVINCE AND THE COUNTRY AT LARGE. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ESTABLISH MECHANISMS THAT CONSERVE ADEQUATE REVENUE REALIZED FROM THE MINING OPERATIONS FOR FUTURE STABILITY, GROWTH, UNFORESEEN DOWNTURNS AND SECURING THE LIVES AND WELL-BEING OF THE CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. ALL ZAMBIANS MUST FEEL THAT THEY ARE PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF CREATING ZAMBIA TO BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR ALL.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I DO EARNESTLY BELIEVE THAT IF THE PATRIOTIC FRONT GOVERNMENT CONTINUES WITH EFFORTS OF REDUCING POVERTY AND INEQUALITY, INVEST IN HUMAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE FROM INHUMANE TREATMENT BY SOME OF THE MINING COMPANIES, THEY CAN LEAVE A LEGACY OF JUSTICE, PROSPERITY, AND PEACE.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PERTINENT ISSUES BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE HE PROVINCE WHICH COULD HELP US FURTHER REFLECT ON OUR THEME;
1. URANIUM MINING
THERE ARE MINING COMPANIES IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE THAT ARE MINING THE DEADLY URANIUM AND THEY CLAIM TO BE STOCK PILING. SCIENTIFICALLY, URANIUM POSES A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS. CONSEQUENTLY, COMMUNITIES AND BIODIVERSITY COULD BE EXPOSED TO AN IMMENSE QUANTITY OF CHEMICALS IF THIS IS NOT THE CASE ALREADY. WE ARE COGNIDSANT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS “NO SAFE METHOD THAT EXISTS TO AVOID CONTAMINATION OF SURFACE AND GROUND WATER THROUGH THE URANIUM MINING PROCESS. THE STOCKPILES OF URANIUM ARE EXPOSED TO THE WIND CAUSING RADIOACTIVE DUST TO SPREAD INTO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SUCH AS KAKAINDU, MANYAMA AND LUMWANA EAST.
THERE IS ALSO A DANGER OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION DUE TO STOCK PILING CAUSING UNTOLD IMPACT OF THIS WATER CONTAMINATION TO COMMUNITIES THE AND THE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM AT LARGE. SADLY, THERE HAS BEEN FAILURE BY THE MINING COMPANIES AND THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. AS SUCH, THERE IS NEED TO INVOLVE THE PROVINCE IN THE SENSITIZATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS MINERAL AND HOW BEST PEOPLE CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO NEEDS TO INSPECT THE MEASURES THAT ARE BEING PUT BY THE MINING COMPANIES TO ENSURE THAT NO POLLUTION IS TAKING PLACE. FURTHERMORE, PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES NEED TO BE EVACUATED SHOULD THERE BE CONTAMINATION ALREADY OCCURRING.
2. TAXATION REVENUE LEAKAGES AND REVENUE SHARING MECHANISM
THE MINES AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2008 HAD THE PROMISE THAT THE COMMUNITIES WILL NOW START BENEFITING FROM MINING REVENUE SHARING MECHANISM. UNFORTUNATELY, THE 2015 MINES AND MINERALS DEVELOPMENT ACT FAILED TO LIVE TO THAT EXPECTATION BY REMOVING THAT CLAUSE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS CLAUSE IS RETURNED TO ASSURE US THAT THE PROVINCES WILL BENEFIT FROM MINERAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXPLOITATION. THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE MINISTRY PF MINES AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD FORMULATE A MINERAL REVENUE SHARING MECHANISM FOR A MINERAL ROYALTY TAX ACCUMULATED IN THE PROVINCES. AS SUCH, THERE IS NEED FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE MINERAL ROYALTY TAX TO REMAIN IN THE PROVINCE. CURRENTLY, ALL MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN PAID TO GOVERNMENT BY THE MINING COMPANIES END UP IN THE CENTRAL COFFERS. THE HOST COMMUNITIES, DISTRICTS AND PROVINCES REMAIN AS IF THEY ARE NO EXTRACTIVE ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN THEIR AREAS. PEOPLE OF NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE ARE STILL ADVOCATING FOR THE FORMULATION OF THE SHARING MECHANISM. WE THEREFORE IMPLORE THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THERE IS A MINERAL REVENUE SHARING MECHANISM.
3. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE
WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY GOVERNMENTS COMMITMENT IN THE Extractive industry transparency initiative (EITI) As the past EIGHT REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE SO FAR HAVE HELPED TO KNOW HOW MUCH THE MINING COMPANIES ARE PAYING OUT AND HOW MUCH GOVERNEMNT IS RECEIVING. HOWEVER WE NEED TO MOVE A STEP FURTHER BY LEGISLATING THE EITI PROCESS. SECONDLY, THERE IS A NEED TO EMPHASISE ISSUES ON ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY MORE ESPECIALLY ISSUES OF DISPLACEMENT AND COMPENSATION.
A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY DISPLACEMENT DUE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINES IN AREAS SUCH AS KABWELA, KALUMBILA, NEW ISREAL, MUSHITALA INTER ALLIA. WE HAVE SEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS LEAVING THE LAND THEY HAVE OCCUPIED FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT ANY HOPE OF AN IMPROVED LIFE OR LIVELIHOOD FOR THEIR FUTURE. MOST AFFECTED COMMUNITIES HAVE LEFT WITH ONLY MONETARY COMPENSATION AND NO ALTERNATIVE LAND GIVEN WHERE THEY ARE RESETTLED. COMPENSATION SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS MONEY ONLY BUT WE WOULD INSTEAD LIKE TO SEE A COMPENSATION PACKAGE THAT GIVES THE AFFECTED PEOPLE A NEW AND BETTER LIFE. FOR INSTANCE, PEOPLE NEED TO BE GIVEN NEW RESIDENTIAL HOUSES, ALTERNATIVE FARM LAND, HEALTH FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, GOOD ROADS, CLEAN AND SAFE WATER, GOOD SANITATION, MARKET PLACE, AND SOME RECREATION FACILITIES APART FROM THE MONEY GIVEN.
4. CORPERATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WORTH NOTING IS THAT SOME MINING FIRMS ARE INVESTING GREATLY IN CSR AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE BEING EMPOWERED IN LIFE SKILLS ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, MANY TIMES PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LITTLE ATTENTION SHOWN BY SOME MINING COMPANIES WHEN IT COMES TO CSR. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS NO POLICY GUIDELINE THAT SHOWS HOW COMPANIES SHOULD BEHAVE WHEN THEY DO BUSINESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES THEREBY LEAVING THE COMPANIES TO DO WHAT THEY WANT. WE IMPLORE GOVERNMENT TO DEVISE A MECHANISM THAT WILL MAKE THE COMPANIES COMPLY TO CSR IN CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE CSR INITIATIVES HAVE BEEN INADEQUATE AND NON-INCLUSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMUNITIES ON THEIR PRIORITY NEEDS AND THEIR CAPACITIES. THESE OBSTACLES HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED THROUGH FALSE AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES CAUSED BY SUPERFICIAL CONSULTATIONS AND MISINFORMATION/LACK OF INFORMATION ON KEY ISSUES LIKE EMPLOYMENT, ECONOMIC LIVELIHOODS AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. ALSO, SUCH OBSTACLES HAVE EXPRESSED THEMSELVES IN TERMS OF FORCED EVICTIONS, COMPENSATION, LACK OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIGNITY. WE THEREFORE NEED TO SEE MINING FIRMS’ COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE TANGIBLE CSR PROGRAMMES TO THE VARIOUS HOST COMMUNITIES IN NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE SO AS TO UPLIFT THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THESE COMMUNITIES AND ALSO MAKE THEIR CSR BUDGETS PUBLIC.
5. MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
WE STRUGGLE WITH THE MISUNDERSTANDING THAT THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES BENEFITS SOCIETY BY BRINGING MODERNITY WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT IS BEING DEGRADED. THIS DEFIES THE VERY FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT MOST MINING AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE IS STILL CONDUCTED UNCHECKED BY ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS DESPITE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) REPORTS, WHICH DO NOT REFLECT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND. MINING LICENSES ARE BEING GRANTED WITH THE COMMUNITIES AND THE TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP HAVING NO ACCESS TO THE FINAL EIA REPORTS AFTER CONSULTATION AMONGST KEY STAKEHOLDERS. AS SUCH, IT IS PERTINENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT TAKES PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND FIND REMEDIAL MEASURES URGENTLY. THE INACTION POSES A THREAT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES’ LIMITED WATER RESOURCE, ADVERSE EFFECTS ON HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH, AND FOOD SECURITY TO BOTH HUMANBEINGS AND THE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM AT LARGE.
6. SMALL-SCALE AND ARTISANAL MINING
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO INTERVENE URGENTLY TO PUT AN END TO INFORMAL AND UNREGULATED SMALL SCALE AND ARTISANAL MINING. SOME OF THESE SMALL SCALE MINING COMPANIES LEAVE A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. FOR INSTANCE OPEN PITS ABANDONED AFTER MINERAL ORES HAVE BEEN EXTRACTED WITHOUT BEING FENCED OFF ARE A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITIES PARTICULARLY THE CHILDREN. ALSO, THESE PITS HAVE POSED A DANGER TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES, THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THEIR WILDLIFE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO INVOLVE THE LOCAL COUNCILS IN ISSUING LICENSES AS WELL AS MONITORING THE ACTIVITIES SMALL SCALE AND ARTISANAL MINING.
7.0 GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IN ISSUES OF MINING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED
WE HAVE SEEN GOVERNMENT TAKING A LOW PROFILE OR INACTION ON COMMUNITY CONCERNS AS A RESULT THE MINING COMPANIES DEALS DIRECTLY WITH THE COMMUNITIES WITH NO LEAVES THE COMPANIES TO DEAL WITH COMMUNITIES. WE WANT TO SEE GOVERNMENT TAKING UP AN ACTIVE POSITION IN ADDRESSING COMMUNITY CONCERNS. IN FACT, FOR COMMUNITIES TO APPRECIATE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNMENT HAS TO TAKE UP AN ACTIVE ROLE IN EDUCATING OR SENSITIZING THESE COMMUNITIES ON THEIR RIGHTS. THE CITIZENS OF ZAMBIA ARE ITS RESPONSIBILITY AND SO THEY SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR THE COMMUNITIES TO START COMPLAINING EVEN ON ISSUES THAT GOVERNMENT COULD HAVE EASILY HANDLED.
I THEREFORE, INVITE ALL OF US AS STAKE-HOLDERS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH GOVERNMENT IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE LOCAL MINING COMMUNITIES IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE!
I THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU!
