Hichilema vows to keep foreigners out of Kikonge gold mining
Hichilema vows to keep foreigners out of Kikonge gold mining
President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged to prevent foreigners from mining gold at Kikonge in Mufumbwe, saying the area’s mineral wealth should primarily benefit local people and other Zambian miners
Mufumbwe, 8 August – Speaking at a campaign rally in Mufumbwe, President Hichilema said his government would issue more mining licences to local miners and provide them with equipment and access to reliable markets to enable them to operate safely and legally.
He also promised to intervene over the presence of soldiers in the mining area, saying they should not harass local miners.
“I am not allowing foreigners to come and mine gold here. I want Zambians, you, the people of Mufumbwe, to mine, but we give you the support,” President Hichilema said.
He warned that he did not want Kikonge to descend into violence similar to what has been seen in parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I don’t want Mufumbwe, Kikonge to become like Eastern Congo, where people are fighting and killing each other,” he said.
President Hichilema said the government wanted mining at Kikonge to be formalised and carried out under safer conditions, following reports of deaths among people working in the pits.
He said local miners would be supported with mining tenements, equipment and access to markets.
The President also dismissed claims that his government intended to bring miners from the Copperbelt and foreigners into Kikonge, saying he would personally oversee the government’s approach to the area.
On security, President Hichilema said he would engage the military over the concerns raised by miners.
“I am the Commander-in-Chief, so I will put them under control,” he said.
President Hichilema also announced the employment of more volunteer teachers and nurses in Mufumbwe and Ikelenge.
He said the appointments were part of his government’s efforts to expand access to essential public services.
“Your vote will allow us to employ more teachers and nurses than those we have employed already,” he told the rally.
He said volunteers who had not yet been employed should remain hopeful, promising further recruitment if his government retained power.
The President further pledged to prioritise the rehabilitation and upgrading of the M8 road, which links several districts in North-Western Province.
He described the road, which runs through Solwezi, Mutanda, Mufumbwe, Manyinga, Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma, as an important economic route for the province.
“I know the biggest issue you are concerned about; it’s in my mind, it’s in my heart, and I can assure you that the M8 road … is my priority,” he said.
President Hichilema also promised works on the Kalengwa road, the establishment of a full-time skills training college in Mufumbwe and the expansion of Mufumbwe District Hospital.
At a separate campaign rally in Ikelenge District, President Hichilema said the government remained committed to upgrading the Mwinilunga-Jimbe road.
He said a contractor was expected to undertake the road project, which would improve connectivity to the Jimbe border with Angola.
The President also announced progress on plans for the Lobito Corridor Railway, saying negotiations had been completed and construction would commence.
According to President Hichilema, the proposed railway would run from Angola through Mwinilunga, Kalumbila, Lumwana and Solwezi before connecting to Chingola.
He said the railway would provide a major new transport link for communities in North-Western Province and connect them to the wider national rail network.
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