Review on mining licensing procedure by Zambia to be completed

Zambia will be completing the review procedure of mining licenses and non mining rights by the next year. Mines and Natural Resources Minister Wilbur Simuusa said his ministry had to undertake a review of the mining licensing procedures to address irregularities and conflicts. Mr Simuusa said irregularities, litigations and allegations bordering on corruption had characterized the issuing of mining and non-mining licenses.
This forced the Government to suspend the insurance of new applications, renewal and transfer of mining and non-mining rights. "We are reviewing the mining licensing processing procedures and clearing up the system once the measures are completed we shall lift the suspension and start issuing new mining and non mining rights," Mr Simuusa said. In October this year, the minister announced that he had suspended the insurance of new applications, renewal and transfer of mining and non-mining rights due to the inefficient and bureaucratic tendencies in the processing of mining licenses.