Leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ), Charles Chanda, has raised concern about the casual approach to gold mining taken by both the government and citizens, saying it is undermining the potential benefits for the country.

Chanda emphasized the need for the government to take the lead in developing the country’s gold resources which were reportedly being under utilised.

In a statement isssued Lusaka on Saturday, Chanda noted that Zambia’s gold industry could be a key to transforming the nation’s future if well utilized.

Chanda highlighted the long history of gold mining in countries like South Africa, where some mines had been active for over 400 years.

He noted that many Zambians engaged in small-scale, informal gold mining to earn money, but that this was not enough.

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“In Kasempa, our gold veins were formed by volcanic activity and deep deposits remain untapped. This generation cannot exhaust these resources. We must have a government that can harness these opportunities to build our great nation,” Chanda said.

He called for a stronger government role, suggesting the creation of a dedicated company to maximize profits from the gold industry.

Chanda criticized the current tax collection efforts, stating that targeting a few foreign miners while ignoring the estimated 50,000 illegal miners was ineffective.

“The government must change its strategy to ensure that the benefits of gold mining are felt across the country,” he said.

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