MINING RIGHTS ISSUANCE BAN TO BE LIFTED

Government might lift the ban on the issuance of mining licences by the end of this month, after finalising arrangements for the introduction of a new and more efficient licensing system.

Mines Minister, Wilbur Simuusa has announced this stating that there has been good progress made in cleaning up the irregularities, which had prompted the ban.

In October last year, the then new Patriotic Front government suspended the issuance of new mining licences.

This was after revelations of several irregularities and bureaucracy in the manner in which business was being conducted at the Mines Registry Department.

Meanwhile, Chamber of Mines of Zambia General Manager, Frederick Bantubonse has forecast increased copper production in the next 5 years.

Mr Bantubonse says the production capacity could hit the 1.6 million tonnes per annum mark by the year 2016.

He has however warned that this is dependent on the country maintaining the current conducive investment climate in the mining sector to attract more investors.