KALAMO MINERS ‘CRY’ FOR EQUIPMENT

The Kalomo Gemstone Miners Association says lack of equipment to process Amethyst has affected production.
Association Chairperson Gordons Nyasulu says his members are failing to add value to their Amethyst mined in the area because the machines once installed at the Mapatizya Gemstone Centre about 10 years ago have become obsolete.
He says despite many members using picks and shovels in their operations, they still need specialized processing equipment to add value to gemstones before exporting them.
Mr. Nyasulu has further complained that the Zimba District Council’s decision to introduce a 150 Kwacha per ton levy on Amethyst is counter-productive.
He says the levy is retrogressive to the small-scale miners who already pay mineral royalty tax to government.
Mr. Nyasulu was speaking shortly after holding a meeting with Ministry of Mines Director Mine Safety Gideon Ndalama.
And Mr. Ndalama said government is concerned with the state of the Mapatizya Gemstone center and that the machines need to be repaired to help add value to the amethyst – a precious stone mined in the area.
Mr. Ndalama who held a meeting with various small-scale miners said government is keen on helping them improve their operations but called for unity among them.
Mapatizya has about 120 small scale mines but only 20 are operational and have renewed their licences.