Cut the Fees, Grow the Mines

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Kabeta urges chiefs to Lower charges to boost exploration and job creation

By Francis Maingaila 

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (August 9, 2025) – The Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development has appealed to traditional leaders to reduce consent charges for mineral exploration in their chiefdoms, warning that high fees are discouraging investment and slowing down potential development.

The call was made by Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta during a meeting with Planet Gold Zambia, according to a statement issued by Shamwinda Tembo, the Ministry’s Principal Public Relations Officer.

Dr. Kabeta said chiefs are crucial partners in attracting credible mining ventures but cautioned that excessive demands often delay exploration projects and reduce the benefits communities could gain from responsible mining.

 “Traditional leaders are key to attracting investment, but unreasonable financial demands hinder exploration and delay progress,” Dr. Kabeta said in the statement. “We must work together to ensure communities gain sustainable advantages once mining begins.”

He also warned against the formation of overly large artisanal mining cooperatives in gold-rich areas. Noting that an artisanal licence covers only 6.67 hectares, Dr. Kabeta said cooperatives with hundreds of members are unworkable and prone to disputes.

“Cooperatives must be small enough to allow meaningful benefits for all members,” he stressed, adding that the Ministry will work with Planet Gold Zambia to set membership limits to ensure fair benefit-sharing.

Planet Gold Zambia’s National Project Manager Abigail Mwailenge announced that her organisation is developing a financing scheme to help licensed artisanal and small-scale miners acquire equipment.

 She said the initiative aims to boost productivity, formalise operations, and encourage environmentally responsible mining.

The Ministry said these measures are aimed at creating an environment where mining investment can flourish while communities enjoy long-term and equitable benefits.

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