United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia [UPPZ] President Charles Chanda has called for the “careful and systematic nationalization” of Zambia’s gemstone mines, saying the country is losing billions in wealth while citizens see little benefit.
Speaking during a UPND Alliance media briefing in Lusaka, Chanda said it was time for Zambia to take back full control of its emerald and gemstone sector.
Chanda noted that the current mining framework allows too much value to leave the country.
“The current system allows too much wealth to leave the country, leaving Zambians with very little to show for their valuable resources. Zambia’s green gold must stay home,” he said.
Chanda recalled a 2017 incident where he claimed a foreign-owned mine produced 70,000 kilogrammes of first-grade emeralds.
“According to my calculations, the money from those stones was enough to pay for Zambia’s national budget for 26 years. We lost that money because the government of the time allowed the stones to be taken away without Zambians getting a proper share. The people that were in power were blind to our mineral resources,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chanda stressed that nationalization must be done systematically, not overnight.
“Any move to nationalize mines must be well-planned and orderly. We are not suggesting chasing away investors. What we are saying is that policies should be changed to ensure that the state has majority control,” Chanda said.
Francis Chipalo
