Tonga chiefs stand up against mining in Lower Zambezi NP

Lower Zambezi canoe safari - Image credit: 'No Mining in Lower Zambezi National Park' (Facebook page).

The Tonga Traditional Association has asked the Zambian Government to revoke the mining licence awarded to Mwembeshi Resources, a subsidiary of Zambezi Resources (Australia), to start a large-scale open cast mine in the Lower Zambezi National Park. The association president, Dickson Namanza, say it will interfere with the environment, culture, tradition and heritage for the people of Southern Province

Namanza said that the decision by the Minister of Lands and Environmental Protection, Harry Kalaba to allow mining was irrational and it lacked consultation with various stakeholders who among them included the traditional leadership in the area. Namanza said that his association was worried and concerned at the speed government was running to deplete the world’s heritage.

“We are concerned as people from Southern Province about the manoeuvre by the Minister of Lands Harry Kalaba to issue a mining licence in a National Park. We are wondering in whose interest they are issuing the licence? We ask this government to revoke the licence because it is not in the best interest of the people of Southern Province and Zambia in general,” Namanza said. He said that it was shocking that government was insisting on starting a mine in the national park at the expense of a thriving wildlife.

“The Lower Zambezi National Park is our pride as Zambians, it is our pride as the people of Southern Province and we see no reason why government should allow people to mine in this area. There should be no displacement of animals in that national park. Why can’t government ask the same investors to go to Munali Nickel mine in Mazabuka and continue with the mining project there rather than to start a new mine in the national park? We don’t want any further displacement of human beings and animals,” said Namanza.

“This is another fallen project by the [Government]; we shall not support it as it will destroy our tradition. That national park has a true meaning for the people of Southern Province and Western Zambia. We cannot compromise with our tradition. Let them go elsewhere with their money. We don’t need it,” said Namanza.

More on this issue from the Zambezi Traveller
Minister gives green light for Kangaluwi Copper Project in Lower Zambezi National Park (Jan 2014)
A conflict of interests? (June 2013)
Mining in National Park thrown out (Dec 2012)

Source:
Tonga chiefs condemn mining in the lower Zambezi (The Lusaka Times, 18 Feb 2014)

Related Stories:
Minister for Tourism opposes Government’s decision to allow mining in Lower Zambezi National Park (The Lusaka Times, 18 Feb 2014)

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