President Hichilema Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Responsible and Secure Mining
President Hakainde Hichilema today officiated at the 2025 Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Conference at the Mulungushi Conference Centre, under the theme “Unlocking ASM Potential for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
In his keynote address, President Hichilema underscored the Government’s commitment to promoting responsible mining practices while ensuring security in all mining areas.
“No large, medium, or small-scale miner will be permitted to introduce insecurity or criminals into sites such as the Kikonge Gold Mine or any other mining area,” the President warned.
He further urged artisanal and small-scale miners to use formal trading channels for gold transactions, stressing that smuggling attempts, including efforts to move gold through unconventional means such as concealing it in Ukwa bags at airports, would be met with legal consequences, including imprisonment.
The Head of State dismissed claims that his administration had relinquished tax revenue to mining entities, clarifying that suggestions of foregone revenue from the mining sector were “misinformed and inaccurate.”
President Hichilema reiterated that the Government’s stance on illegal mining is firm and uncompromising. He assured stakeholders that decisive measures will be taken to ensure the mining sector operates transparently, within the law, and in a manner that benefits both miners and the nation.
The two-day conference has brought together artisanal miners, policymakers, investors, and civil society representatives to deliberate on strategies that will unlock the potential of Zambia’s ASM sector while safeguarding sustainable development.
