The PF government on 17 January 2014 gave license to an Australian Bermuda registered mining company, Mwembeshi Resources Limited – under its parent Zambezi Resources Limited, to permanently destroy some 250 sq. km of the Lower Zambezi National Park with massive impacts on the Zambezi River, the Mana Pools World Heritage Site, and the main roads to the Copperbelt that will have to bear trucks carrying 160 tonnes of concentrate daily.
To this may be added the Cheowa mine just outside the park in the Chiawa GMA – owned by the same miners in partnership with Glencore Xstrata of Mopani copper notoriety; and the conversion of the trans-park track into a highway linking Chirundu with Feira and Luangwa Bridge – under the personal direction of Michael Sata. To this may be added the alienation of 36,00 ha of Chief Unda Unda’s land on the border of the park to Iqbal Alloo for highly dubious REDD+ projects in cahoots with donors who wish to convert customary land to leasehold. And upstream of the Zambezi is a nightmare of more mines, even more poisonous, and many hydro-schemes so that the World Bank may convert villagers into factory workers.
After ZEMA had turned down the mining in the park on environmental grounds, parliament had its say on July 2013, the Parliamentary Committee on Lands, Environment and Tourism for the Second Session of the Eleventh National Assembly of Zambia (September 2012 – July 2013) declaring that:
Your Committee recommends that the proposed mining project at Kangaluwi in the Lower Zambezi be rejected for the following reasons:
- the mining licence that Mwembeshi Resources holds was issued without following the requirements of the law and procedure and is invalid and should be revoked;
- there should be no mining in the Lower Zambezi National Park which should be reserved and preserved as a conservation area and heritage for purposes of tourism development;
- the Government should ensure that the issuance of mining licences follows the legal and laid down procedures; further, the work of the inter-Ministerial Committee should be strengthened.
There is something terribly wrong with the PF government’s decision making. The plunderers are taking over the country.
By I.P.A. Manning (former member of the National Parks & Wildlife Service)
Meanwhile Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) has added its voice to calls by different stakeholders for government to reverse its decision on the awarding of a mining licence in the lower Zambezi national park.
In a statement this morning, ZLA board Chairperson Ceaser Katebe described the development as sad and an injustice not only to the people living around that area but to the environment at large. Mr Katebe added that if the move is allowed to continue, the impacts may be devastating.
“As ZLA we feel that the move by the Honourable Minister of Lands,Environment and Natural Resources is wrong and should be rescinded. There is so much at stake if mining is allowed to take place in the area. People who live around the area will face the risk of displacement due to mining activities and the resulting environmental effects. The area may no longer support agriculture, which is the mainstay of rural communities” he said.
Mr Katebe pointed out that in the absence of a resettlement policy, there is no guarantee that the people will be taken care of in terms of resettlement and adequate compensation. Mr Katebe cited past experiences such as the case of Kalumbila mining project and the Kariba Dam project which displaced a number of families without following proper procedures and adequately compensating them. He further questioned whether the packages that would be given to the people displaced, if at all they will be given, will be sustainable for their new livelihoods.
“We should state categorically, that ZLA is not against development, but it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of every decision. Development should be sustainable, and should not in any way compromise the needs of the future generations. We should not only look at 700 jobs that will be created today, but what about the environmental consequences that will affect agriculture for example?” he questioned.
Mr Katebe added that development should not make the poor poorer, stating that most likely the local people will not even benefit from the jobs that are likely to be created. He also said displacements not only take away people’s livelihoods, but their heritage as well stating that if the people of that area are moved to other areas, they may not enjoy security of tenure and may lose their identity.
“As ZLA we again call upon the Minister and the government to consider the poor resident of lower Zambezi area, and the future generation, by rescinding the decision to authorise mining in lower Zambezi” he said.
Editor’s Note
There is a Petition for this cause. Check the link below
Did the Australian company get licence through corruption?
Non story for me
Thanks
You Mushota are u know or u are sick, it looks like you have some disconnection in your head, wires are not straight go to the hospital for tests. People are discussing serious matters and you are there making jokes. be serious for once in life. Admin please consider burning this chap’s comments.
These “Boneheads”, our so called Zambian leaders, DO NOT have a clue about running anything. Look at Lusaka- One of THE DIRTIEST CITIES ON EARTH!!
Does anyone really think these Cowboys, care if the Lower Zambezi is polluted, made as filthy as their City?? No chance. All they think of is MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS, though they CONNED the Zambian, me included that once in power, they ” Will Clean up Zambia, & put more money in the Citizens pocket”
These cowboys are even capable of bankrupting a small Market (Kantemba) business.
I am shocked that there is no court injunction yet!
The various organizations have just issued statements.
Do we have Patriotic Lawyers left in this country or are they all busy trying to make ends meet?
If this had happened in Kenya, we could have seen LEGAL ACTION and protest marches!
Whoever overturned the ZEMA recommendations should be investigated and to be made to account for this bad decision!
There is more to this than meets the eye!
Points to take note of
1) Kangaluwi is 40 km away from where the animals are concentrated
2) There used to be a gold mine there in Changwenga. The equipments such as furnace, cyanide tanks, small tailing dam and a shaft are there.
3) Copperbelt was once like the Lower Zambezi. Why are the environmentalist quiet?
4) People against the mining have jobs and have nice homes being built as a result of the mines.
5) There are a total of 7 mines on the Copperbelt and the Kafue river meanders around these towns. ZEMA is quiet.
6) Kalumbila is being opened are trees are being cut. Why is ZEMA quiet? Mind you Kalumbila wil build a small world class town with proper housing.
7) Nearly all towns are built with money from the mines. Those who oppose the mine, go and live in trees or hang…
Points of correction:
1) 40km? That is nothing in an ecosystem!
2) Exactly, the rubbish is still there and you want to bring more.
3) Environmentalists are far from quiet on conditions in the C’Belt. The problems you list are more reason to reject this.
4) Not true. What of farmers around the park and those who work in tourism, don’t they count?
5) Again, ZEMA and NGOs are not quiet about the C’Belt and is no reason to think Lower Zambezi will be fine.
6) LOL – you really expect foreign owners to build proper housing? Look at your beloved C’Belt!
7) Again look around. Not all towns are built on mining and even if they were, that is more reason for Zambia to diversify! As for hanging, maybe you prefer to breath smog and drink poison?
The fact is
1) The entire Copper-belt was built by the mines where your relatives are enjoying the bread and butter and keeping your grand parents. Even Lusaka, Joburg and Harare is a product of the mines
2) I mentioned Chakwenga because the environment is clean up to this time despite mining in the past.
3) Mining and tourism can co-exist
4) Mention a housing unit built by the tourism sector. Non. I don’t mean i hate tourism or nature but balancing is very important.
5) Go and say that no mine to the villagers who lives there and see if you will come back alive.
6) Lastly, you go and live among elephants and lions.
1) Yes, mining is important yet Zambia is over dependent and needs to diversify.
2) It takes more than one self-declared example to ensure environmental clean-up will happen. This planet (and developing world most especially) is littered with ecological mining disasters for which current and future generations are still paying, and paying, and paying!
3) Sure – nothing like the rich haze of smog to create that beautiful orange sunset tourists love!
4) The lodges house all of their workers and have enabled countless families to build houses for their families and send children to school with income from tourism.
5) Go go Mfuwe. Say you want to build a mine and see if YOU come back alive!
6) Many happily pay +$500/night to sleep with the lions and elephants!
U are the most pathetic ninco i’ve met here. WE HAVE LEARNT FROM OUR MISTAKES and that is why we DO NOT WANT THEM REPEATED, capito! Bldy embicile !
Tell how many people especially pay $500/lion? I was in the lower Zambezi and never saw a tourist passing near our camp for almost 6 years. So don’t exaggerate bwana spud. @ Kwaku, you are enjoying the pleasures of towns because of the mines. I have moved a lot on the Zambian Cbelt and NW provinces. You go in the typical bushes, there is still natural beauty. So don’t blow things out of proportion. If anything a mine is just a little dot if you check with google earth. I have told you go and live among Cheetahs and buffaloes.
I agree with you 100%. All developments changes eco systems one way or another. When you are building, even a house, you have to remove vegetation and once the structure has been erected, the flow of rain water will be altered and the eco system around your house will be changed. Should people stop building houses and start living under trees, because by building houses they are changing eco systems? Yes years ago there was a gold mine (Chakwenga mine) in the area and nobody complained. I smell a rat here. Is it the losing bidders for mining rights in the lower Zambezi, who are funding the environmentalists to raise issues were none exist?
Those condemning, can you allow me to marry your daughter. When I marry her, give her lots of money to sustain me because i can’t find a job.
Those condemning know that people need jobs but all you say is “no, no” just because you are living in a nice home with a salary being donated by the donors to keep the elephants and porcupines. Give me a break. If you don’t want a mine go and live among elephants and cheetahs. You are better off there than our towns which were made with money from the mines. Lusaka and Copper-belt are a product of mining. Okay, move away from the towns, because the towns were once like Lower Zambezi. Leave our polluted towns and go to the Lower Zambezi. I know your concerns are fake. If anything, once the mine is opened you will have something to keep u busy
Just arguing from the selfish point of view!
The Kenyan economy is better than the Zambian one!
Tourism, Horticulture, are the main FOREX earners and employers!
No mines to talk about and no Ghost towns!
If KK was mining the way we want to mine, the entire Zambia would have become a waste land!
Maybe it’s true that an African only cares about today’s selfish needs and does not care to think long term humane benefits! No wonder he owns nothing. Everything in an African’s house was made by the white man, even the clothes and rags!
Shame!
THESE ARE THINGS FOR WHICH A MINISTER MUST BE PUT UNDER PRESSURE FOR
AND FORCED TO RESIGN FOR INCOMPETENCE. WHAT DO YOU SAY?
Amen!
In my country this minister would be history soon after this dreadful mistake!
Dear Editor,
A group of environmental activists were arrested this morning for holding a peaceful protest against Mining in Lower Zambezi NP. This was at Padmozi were Australian Mine developers were having a meeting with the Vice President and other government officials
Let’s keep the pressure on these people…we let them get away with it 20 years ago and we won’t sit by and watch our land be polluted for nothing.
Surprisingly you young people seem to quarrel over this issue. we shouldnt. lets reason together and find a solution. zambia is the only country we have and let us learn from the previous mistakes.
Tell me why minerals are there in the ground? Are they there just for decorations? So how do you expect people to remove minerals down from the ground? You don’t know that the car, electricity cables, electrical appliances, computer parts, aeroplanes, chairs etc are a product of mining? As us Zambians you don’t even have a technology to improve ourselves. We are not like Japanese. Had not been for the mines, you would still be wearing imibinde. You subtract mines from Zambia, beginning of poverty. The only thing you can talk about is how to make sure the mines does not pollute the rivers and the general environment. Diversification is not as easy as buying chibwabwa. Besides you tell how about 2000000 people can be employed if you remove the mines? You go and live with buffaloes.
Educated fo ols who can’t think outside their dirt boxes! U should start living in the forests.The reasons given by o u critisizing lack merit and are childish.Are u infering that no such ventures in Zambia ‘ll b initieted on account of yo reasons?
Don’t be allergic to development instead pressurise the govt on accountability,transperance and proper mitigation on eviromental impact it will bring.
The PF Govt must learnt to be civilized. Rule by decree is disastrous for this country. Previous Govts by UNIP (under KK) and MMD (under Chiluba, Mwanawasa, RB) had good reasons to respect Statutory Institutions that provided professional guidance backed up by standing legal instruments.
ZEMA is comprised of highly trained and skilled personnel in the area of environmental management. Mitigation measures cannot be provided by a Minister. Failure to accept ZEMA’s advice will not auger well for the future of Zambia. We hope this clique of greedy PF leadership, busy fast-tracking to gain money through a well developed system of kick-backs, will not end up frustrating the national operations of ZEMA. God Hear Our Prayers.
HE cannot but hear, but it requires the people to deliver – with his guidance.
Well said @11!
Zambia is under Siege from this Lawless mutant crop of selfish individuals who will stop at nothing to get what they want and unless the wise citizens stand up against this rot, there will be no Zambia left!
Mining is not equal to Development!
Just because this is the only money spinner some people have known does not mean its the only vehicle to use to develop Zambia. In fact with less than 50% of mine ownership, Zambia is currently losing out big time! Sustainable development is what we need. We are not saying we don’t need mines but if we are to get minerals from under a game reserve, there are better mining technologies to achieve that without disturbing the Ecosystem! PF needs to learn fast to respect public opinion for once!
micheal sata needs to cut short his dialysis appointment dubbed “working holiday” to come and explain why he gave a go a heard to the impending destruction of the lower Zambezi national park.
HH, CHIPIMO, FR BWALYA, NEVERS MUMBA, NAWAKWI AND MANY OTHER OPPOSITION POLITICAL LEADERS…WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THIS IMPENDING DESTRUCTION OF THE LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK???? COME ON GUYS, TAKE TO THE AIRWAVES AND CONDEMN THIS SCANDAL.
Viva Jobs you are a foul. you talk about good houses will be belt once the mine becomes operational on this area, its a joke come to Lumwana and see the better houses you talk about.
Coming to the govt. it is very important for the govt. to listen to peoples concerns because we are the same people who put them there to run our country. therefore, it is important for them to listen when people talk. we are saying NO mining in this area if you think people can not act then we will take the law into our own hands so that we can save this beautiful area.
Mr sata we know that you can not sink so low to allow this minister to do such a thing. please listen to what people are saying.
Mining in lower zambezi should go ahead. The much talked about Tourism can not sustain development and socio well being of lower zambezi. its only the bansungus benefiting am happy to see the bazungus fighting each other. its getting interesting.
Which houses? Ever been to lumwana mine? Here its like we have no government or union. Living in lumwana is worse than hell. Leave the park alone because few corrupt individuals are going to benefit.
why stop mining activity?Adjacent in Zambabwe is Wankie coal mine whts problem for our country?Evrythng is adulterated to politics why?