President Hichilema: Jobs and Empowerment of Young People are Key to Ending Illegal and Unsafe Mining

President Hakainde Hichilema has pledged decisive action against illegal mining operations in a Press Release issued from State House earlier today, following recent violence in the Copperbelt region that left one person dead.

The President expressed his condolences over the fatality in Chingola and pointed to ongoing troubles in the gold-rich Mufumbwe district as evidence of the urgent need to tackle lawlessness in the mining sector.

"We will not tolerate lawlessness and decisive action will be taken where necessary," President Hichilema said, calling on law enforcement to crack down on what he termed "hooliganism" in mining areas.

The president's comments come amid growing concerns over unregulated mining activities that have sparked violent confrontations and caused environmental damage across the nation’s mineral-rich regions.

President Hichilema argued that sustainable employment for young people represents the long-term solution to illegal mining, emphasising his government's focus on economic growth and job creation.

"Our natural resources are a blessing and crucial to securing Zambia's long-term prosperity," he said. "We want our young people in safe, stable and well-paying jobs including mining."

The President stressed that young Zambians living in the Copperbelt and other resource-rich areas should benefit directly from the country's mineral wealth through legitimate employment opportunities.

In response to recent environmental concerns, President Hichilema has established an inter-ministerial committee to address both illegal mining and pollution incidents in the Copperbelt.

The committee, chaired by Vice-President Mutale Nalumango, will bring together ministers and technical experts from relevant government departments to coordinate the response to mining-related environmental damage.

The President emphasised that his administration would implement a structured licensing system designed to ensure citizens benefit from the country's natural resources while maintaining environmental standards and worker safety.