GOVERNMENT has ordered Mwembeshi Resources Limited to cease all mining works in Lower Zambezi National park with immediate effect.
This is due to non-compliance by the company which violated a number of conditions of the May ,7 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment for proposed Large-Scale mining activities.
In the recent past, there has been heightened interest in the proposed large-scale mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park by Mwembeshi Resources Limited, because of alleged commencement of mining operations in the area.
However, it has been established that the company has not adhered to the conditions as stipulated by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and has since been ordered to cease works.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Collins Nzovu said to the effect, all works should immediately cease.
“I have received numerous queries from many Zambians, seeking clarification from me and my Government, on the way forward on this matter. However, it must be understood that ZEMA is the designated Government Agency responsible for issuing environmental permits and carrying out compliance monitoring to all mining entities in the country,” he said.
He stated that the permits are issued with specific conditions in the Decision Letter, which must be religiously adhered to by all permit holders, failure to which specific penalties as provided for in the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011, are meted out.
“I have been informed that multiple inspections and legal reviews by ZEMA, have established beyond reasonable doubt, that Mwembeshi Resources Limited has violated a number of conditions of the May 7, 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment Decision letter for the proposed Large-Scale mining activities under Licence No. 15547-HQ-LML in Lower Zambezi National Park of Luangwa District,” he said.
He noted that consequently, ZEMA under his Ministry, in accordance with Section 106 of the Environmental Management Act number 12 of 2011, served a Compliance Order on Mwembeshi Resources Limited of Lot number 397 a/2/C off Chipwenupwenu Road Makeni, in Lusaka District, in Lusaka.
“ZEMA has further Ordered Mwembeshi Resources Limited to immediately; cease the construction of roads in the National Park which includes excavations, hauling of materials, dumping of laterite and other construction material, clearing of vegetation and all related activities, cease the mining of gravel and other road construction materials from the two borrow pits and any other sources within the National Park.”
“Cease the construction of foundations for buildings and any other project activities and submit a site environmental restoration plan for the degraded environment at the borrow pits and any other areas in the National Park. The degraded environment shall be restored to its former or better state as required by the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011. ZEMA shall ensure full compliance to the Compliance Order by Mwembeshi Resources Limited,” Mr Nzovu said
