TI-Z expresses extreme concern with the Zambian Government’s decision to approve large
scale exploration licenses in the Lower Zambezi National Park. As the public may recall,
several environmental defenders, activists and civil society actors spoke out against the
previous administration’s decision to grant a mining licence and environmental approval for
a mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park in 2014. It was only after much
advocacy and engagement with the relevant government institutions and stakeholders that
last year, the current administration cancelled the proposed large-scale mining project that
was designated in the Lower Zambezi National Park, a decision that was lauded by many
environmental defenders, activists and concerned civil society actors, including TI-Z.
It was thus concerning to learn that the Mining License Committee had made a decision to
grant two large scale exploration licenses in September 2024 in the Lower Zambezi National
Park barely a year after the decision to cancel the previous environmental approval for
another mining project. As published on the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development
website, the Mining License Committee approved two large-scale exploration licenses,
namely, licenses 38439-HQ-LEL and 38572-HQ-LEL located in the Lower Zambezi National
Park.
We are alive to the fact that presently there is neither a law nor regulation that expressly
bars mining in protected areas such as forest reserves, game reserves and national parks.
The current Mines and Minerals Development Act 2015 that provides for the application and
granting of mining rights and licenses, outlines provisions on mining and exploration in
environmentally protected and sensitive areas, with required conditions attached to mining
rights and licenses including obtaining permission to exercise that mining right with the
relevant government institutions and or agencies. Among the key requirements is the
environmental approval through an Environmental Project Brief and Environmental Impact
Statement submitted to Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), in addition to
approval from other public institutions such as the Department of National parks and Wildlife
(DNPWL) in this case.
Learning from the previous public outcry and environmental demerits of the previous
proposed mining project, TI-Z had assumed that the issue pertaining to mining in Lower
Zambezi National Park was a settled matter, and it is disheartening to see the current
administration resurrect the issue and do the exact same thing for which the previous
administration was condemned. TI-Z also notes that prospects of mining in other protected
areas remain an issue, with the Lower Zambezi being one of the most contentious
preproposals in recent years.
Given this new development, TI-Z will continue to monitor developments with regards to
these approvals, and will collaborate with other concerned stakeholders to vociferously
oppose this and similar decisions relating to mining activities in protected areas. TI-Z’s
position remains that explorations and mining licensing and approvals, in addition to being
conducted transparently, should not be approved or permitted to occur in protected areas
such as national parks and forest reserves. We also reiterate our earlier recommendations
on this, that regulations that ensure protection and aversion of exploration and mining in
ecologically and environmentally sensitive areas be aligned with the administration’s
aspiration to espouse development that prioritizes environmental sustainability and a green
economy. We urge the current administration not to turn a blind eye to this important issue.
Maurice K. Nyambe (Mr.)
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
