By SAM PHIRI –

THE Government has warned people involved in illegal mining and quarrying activities to desist from the practice as it is a deathtrap and an environmental squalor.
Mines, Energy and Water Development acting Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda said his office had received reports of growing numbers of people engaging in illegal mining and quarrying using dangerous methods like industrial mining explosives to blast stones in a small quarry.
Mr Chanda said apart from the hidden illegal mining activities taking place in different parts of Zambia, there had been growing quarrying activities in Lusaka’s Misisi and Chawama townships that had left land degradation with pits used for criminal activities.
Mr Chanda said their had been increased levels of illegal selling of industrial mining explosives which were used for small-scale quarrying in townships.
The PS was aware that some people were earning their livelihood from the same activities but their lives were more precious as many had died or became disfigured due to the dangerous methods used.
“The problem is that we don’t know where most of these illegal mining takes place and most times when the rubble collapses on them, they would be buried without trace,” he said.
Mr Chanda said the ministry would be working with law-enforcers to clamp down on the illegal suppliers and buyers of the explosives.
A woman recently died in Misisi Township after earth from a deep quarry buried her alive.
Also a 12-year-old Lusaka West boy was recently left with a disfigured face after being hit by a flying stone from the illegal quarrying activities that were taking place near his home.
Some people involved in the activity have defended the act saying that it was their only source of income.
Leonard Chimba of Lusaka said he had been in the quarrying business for more than seven years and that he had not found anything that could replace that source of income.
Mr Chimba said one of his friends also had a mine in Chibombo, but would only go to look for the precious stones at night in fear of the authorities.
“Why can’t Government legalise our activities, because we have been doing this for years now and we are even used,” he said.